Dear Reader(s),
I haven’t actually done the whole letter thing in a long time.
Now, it is all emails, instant messages and text messages. But this morning, while trying to avoid the latest news on Weiner-gate, I wondered if it was possible to actually write a letter.
I decided to give it a whirl, but hang on a second and let me change the channel as another story about Rep. Anthony Weiner sending an image of his last namesake to women is on the news again.
There, much better.
Okay, where were we? Oh yes, I was writing a letter to my reader(s).
So, it is hot here in LeFlore County.
Duh.
Dang, this letter writing can be tough at times. Better turn off the television as I really don’t want to hear anything else about the subject mentioned above or how Tiger Woods won’t play in the U.S. Open because his knee is hurting.
Well, Tiger, my knees are hurting but I am going to work today, so there. I will tell you why my knees hurt later in the letter!
Let’s see, what is going on in the county. Well, the Runestone will now be operated by the city of Heavener and the Friends of the Runestone. At first, I was worried about the Runestone staying open. At least now it will be operated by somebody who cares.
Hmm, what else is going on?
I draw a blank, which is starting to be a habit.
Let’s see, The Trish decided I should go with her to a wedding on Saturday. Generally, I try to avoid weddings as I have been through enough of my own. This one was unique, at least. It was held at Lake Eufaula, on an island, which required a boat ride to and from the island.
As weddings go, it was okay. Short and sweet and most of us wore shorts, which should be a requirement for all weddings and funerals, except I guess when it is cold. But they should still be fast and should have a timer requiring them to be finished in at least 15 minutes.
Our dog Molly needs her hair cut in a bad way. She once again resembles a black mop and it is hard to see her eyes.
Speaking of haircuts, last night, I mentioned to Trish that I thought she was getting her hair cut. She DID get a hair cut yesterday. Good one, Craigman.
Since it is so hot, over the weekend I decided to shave the old head and remove the goatee for the first time in a couple of years. “Ugh!” said my supportive wife about my new look. A co-worker, Sarah, said I look like a mole rat. Perhaps I am ignorant, but I never heard of a mole rat so I did the whole Google thing. After seeing a picture of one, it was not a flattering description and the hair will be coming back ASAP.
After watching the movie Sanctum last night, I decided it would be a good idea if the local movie stores offered a money-back guarantee if the movie you rented stunk. I wasted two hours of my precious time watching this movie and was so bored that I even talked about my wife’s hair.
The movie also made me wonder how it felt to sink so much time and money into making a movie and then discover it was a stinker, which is probably how most of you feel after reading this letter. But hey, I do offer to refund all the money you spent on reading this if you find it that bad.
Last month, I decided it was time to get back into shape. So I started running again. I quickly got so I could run (or jog, actually) and made it to three miles without stopping. I planned on actually running a 5K later in the summer.
That was about the time my knees sent a message to my brain that 48-year old guys with bad knees should probably reconsider the whole running thing. But I won’t miss the U.S. Open, by gosh. Or work, either. Take that Tiger.
Of course, it might be different if I had Tiger’s cash.
So I truly hope you have a good day.
Craig
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
My little girl
My daughter turned 18 on Saturday.
Less than two weeks ago, Michaela stepped up on the stage and accepted her diploma as a graduate of Southside High School in Fort Smith.
I have always been proud of her as she is really a good kid, er, person. When she was announced at the graduation, it was “With Honors, Michaela Hall” and she got a big ovation from our little section of three.
Her name was listed several times in the graduation program and she will attend the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (that’s UAFS for those of you scoring at home) in the fall with a full ride (THANK GOODNESS!) because of her grades.
She also has a part-time job and gasp, a boyfriend. We got to meet him for the first time about a month ago.
I expected to be disappointed. Like most fathers, I planned on trying to scare him and let him know that if he hurt or disappointed my little girl, the Wrath of Craig would fall on him in a way which would make the Egyptian plagues from the Bible seem like a more favorable choice.
But he was pleasant, dressed nice and acted like a civilized person. No visible tattoos, snarls or eyeball rolls when I tried to be funny. I didn’t even try to stare him down with my Don’t Mess with Craig look, which fails to scare anybody (especially my dog, Molly) and makes Trish laugh.
He did not belch, pass gas at the dinner table or say something like “Woman, get me some grub!”
Actually, that was me.
He even has a job and is going to college. I actually liked him.
Then she graduates and turns 18.
Whoa, this is a little too much. How is this possible?
There is no way she can now be considered a young adult. I expected her to be a little girl forever and come see me every other weekend and complain about my wanting to watch something educational like a football game instead of Lifetime.
But instead, Michaela grew to be a smart and mature person, despite having me as a father.
All the speakers at her graduation talked about how they are going to change the world for the better and the amazing opportunities ahead of them. Well, Michaela has already changed the world for the better, at least my little slice of it.
And yes, she has all these opportunities ahead of her. Unlike her father, who was limited in his academic fields because of laziness and Craig Attention Disorder Syndrome, Michaela can now do whatever she wants in life. I just hope whatever she does brings her joy.
I know that I haven’t been Ward Cleaver or won any Best Father contests. But if there was a Best Daughter contest, Michaela would win hands down.
With Honors.
Less than two weeks ago, Michaela stepped up on the stage and accepted her diploma as a graduate of Southside High School in Fort Smith.
I have always been proud of her as she is really a good kid, er, person. When she was announced at the graduation, it was “With Honors, Michaela Hall” and she got a big ovation from our little section of three.
Her name was listed several times in the graduation program and she will attend the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (that’s UAFS for those of you scoring at home) in the fall with a full ride (THANK GOODNESS!) because of her grades.
She also has a part-time job and gasp, a boyfriend. We got to meet him for the first time about a month ago.
I expected to be disappointed. Like most fathers, I planned on trying to scare him and let him know that if he hurt or disappointed my little girl, the Wrath of Craig would fall on him in a way which would make the Egyptian plagues from the Bible seem like a more favorable choice.
But he was pleasant, dressed nice and acted like a civilized person. No visible tattoos, snarls or eyeball rolls when I tried to be funny. I didn’t even try to stare him down with my Don’t Mess with Craig look, which fails to scare anybody (especially my dog, Molly) and makes Trish laugh.
He did not belch, pass gas at the dinner table or say something like “Woman, get me some grub!”
Actually, that was me.
He even has a job and is going to college. I actually liked him.
Then she graduates and turns 18.
Whoa, this is a little too much. How is this possible?
There is no way she can now be considered a young adult. I expected her to be a little girl forever and come see me every other weekend and complain about my wanting to watch something educational like a football game instead of Lifetime.
But instead, Michaela grew to be a smart and mature person, despite having me as a father.
All the speakers at her graduation talked about how they are going to change the world for the better and the amazing opportunities ahead of them. Well, Michaela has already changed the world for the better, at least my little slice of it.
And yes, she has all these opportunities ahead of her. Unlike her father, who was limited in his academic fields because of laziness and Craig Attention Disorder Syndrome, Michaela can now do whatever she wants in life. I just hope whatever she does brings her joy.
I know that I haven’t been Ward Cleaver or won any Best Father contests. But if there was a Best Daughter contest, Michaela would win hands down.
With Honors.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Gilstrap overcame obstacles to succeed
Like most people, I am glad to see others succeed.
Especially when those people are young adults. That is especially true when those young adults overcome obstacles to succeed.
Connor Gilstrap is one of those young adults who has overcome a lot to succeed.
Gilstrap, who just graduated from Poteau High School, signed Wednesday to play baseball and continue his athletic and academic pursuit at Carl Albert State College.
He is not your typical standout athlete, at least in size. Gilstrap is short and stout, to tell the truth. No, he does not stand 6-foot-2 and weigh 200 pounds.
Gilstrap is in the mid five-foot tall territory, give or take an inch or two. But what he lacks in height, Gilstrap makes up for it in heart.
Prior to his junior season, he injured both knees and had to sit out both football and wrestling. This came after he was one of the Pirates’ leading tacklers as a sophomore and qualified for the state tournament in wrestling that year.
He came back and played baseball his junior year, even though his knees were not 100 percent and was a pain inn the rear for most opponents both from his leadoff spot in the batting order and in the outfield, where he roamed far and wide to track down batted balls.
But he didn’t. Despite missing his junior year, Gilstrap was once again one of the top tacklers for the Pirates and an inspiration to many.
In wrestling, he was one of the top wrestlers in his class and again made the state tournament.
When he finished wrestling, it was time for baseball. Like the other sports, Gilstrap was a standout. He helped a young Poteau team, which frequently started three or four freshmen, to win a district tournament and advance to the regionals.
For his success on the baseball field and in the classroom, Gilstrap is getting the opportunity to continue playing baseball when he goes to CASC in the fall.
Again, he won’t be the biggest player or even the most talented. But it is doubtful anybody will play harder or show more heart.
Especially when those people are young adults. That is especially true when those young adults overcome obstacles to succeed.
Connor Gilstrap is one of those young adults who has overcome a lot to succeed.
 |
| Connor Gilstrap slides into third base during a game this past season. |
He is not your typical standout athlete, at least in size. Gilstrap is short and stout, to tell the truth. No, he does not stand 6-foot-2 and weigh 200 pounds.
Gilstrap is in the mid five-foot tall territory, give or take an inch or two. But what he lacks in height, Gilstrap makes up for it in heart.
Prior to his junior season, he injured both knees and had to sit out both football and wrestling. This came after he was one of the Pirates’ leading tacklers as a sophomore and qualified for the state tournament in wrestling that year.
He came back and played baseball his junior year, even though his knees were not 100 percent and was a pain inn the rear for most opponents both from his leadoff spot in the batting order and in the outfield, where he roamed far and wide to track down batted balls.Gilstrap could have used the knee injuries as an excuse to coast or even sit out football this past season, where he was in danger of even more damage to his knees on every play.
In wrestling, he was one of the top wrestlers in his class and again made the state tournament.
When he finished wrestling, it was time for baseball. Like the other sports, Gilstrap was a standout. He helped a young Poteau team, which frequently started three or four freshmen, to win a district tournament and advance to the regionals.
For his success on the baseball field and in the classroom, Gilstrap is getting the opportunity to continue playing baseball when he goes to CASC in the fall.
Again, he won’t be the biggest player or even the most talented. But it is doubtful anybody will play harder or show more heart.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Poteau gets state tournament
Some congratulations are in order today as Poteau was awarded the 2011 Midget State Tournament for July 12-16.
Dr. Steve Smith did the legwork and secured the bid for Poteau with the help of local OK Kids president Jerry Pitchford and other supporters.
The tournament has been held at Weatherford the last few years and getting the tournament is a big coup.
Eight teams along with families, friends and supporters were descend on Poteau that week and as Pitchford said in his statement, stay in our hotels, visit our restaurants and see what the area has to offer.
This should provide a big economic boost to the county. There are no solid numbers on how many visitors will come to the area, but if you consider there are eight teams with at least 10 players on each team, along with coaches, parents and family, and they will need to eat, get refreshments, gas, and need a place to stay, our area should benefit.
This is the first time in recent memory, if not the first time ever, an OK Kids state tournament will be held in the county. Usually, the tournaments are held in more central locations as towns from throughout the state participate in OK Kids.
The Midget group is for youth aged 11-12. Games will be held at the PARC that week.
To get the state tournament, organizers have to bid on the event. Naturally, Poteau is not centrally located and there had to be some reluctance to send teams from clear across the state to southeastern Oklahoma.
But Smith and Pitchford showed Poteau had the facilities and abilities to host the tournament.
In addition, the week before the state tournament, regional tournaments for Coach Pitch will be held at Heavener, a PeeWee regional is scheduled for Spiro and a Prep regional will come to Panama.
So congratulations to all those who worked so hard to bring the state and regional tournaments to our area. We need to roll out the red carpet and welcome our visitors and show them how good this part of the state is and hopefully they will come back again…and again.
Dr. Steve Smith did the legwork and secured the bid for Poteau with the help of local OK Kids president Jerry Pitchford and other supporters.
The tournament has been held at Weatherford the last few years and getting the tournament is a big coup.
Eight teams along with families, friends and supporters were descend on Poteau that week and as Pitchford said in his statement, stay in our hotels, visit our restaurants and see what the area has to offer.
This should provide a big economic boost to the county. There are no solid numbers on how many visitors will come to the area, but if you consider there are eight teams with at least 10 players on each team, along with coaches, parents and family, and they will need to eat, get refreshments, gas, and need a place to stay, our area should benefit.
This is the first time in recent memory, if not the first time ever, an OK Kids state tournament will be held in the county. Usually, the tournaments are held in more central locations as towns from throughout the state participate in OK Kids.
The Midget group is for youth aged 11-12. Games will be held at the PARC that week.
To get the state tournament, organizers have to bid on the event. Naturally, Poteau is not centrally located and there had to be some reluctance to send teams from clear across the state to southeastern Oklahoma.
But Smith and Pitchford showed Poteau had the facilities and abilities to host the tournament.
In addition, the week before the state tournament, regional tournaments for Coach Pitch will be held at Heavener, a PeeWee regional is scheduled for Spiro and a Prep regional will come to Panama.
So congratulations to all those who worked so hard to bring the state and regional tournaments to our area. We need to roll out the red carpet and welcome our visitors and show them how good this part of the state is and hopefully they will come back again…and again.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Pirates show potential
Poteau closed out its spring football practice with the Red-White scrimmage Saturday morning at Costner Stadium.
The 2011 version of the Pirates strutted their stuff as the two teams were divided fairly even among the squad, giving all the players an opportunity to strut their stuff for the final time before summer break.
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| Kendrick Hardaway tries to catch a long pass in the Red-White scrimmage. |
After missing the playoffs last year, Poteau is looking to return to post-season play in the 2011 season and unlike last year, the Pirates will get three of their first four games at home.
The Pirates showed plenty of promise in the skill positions in the Red-White scrimmage with quarterbacks Wilson Klutts and Jace Pitchford leading the two teams.
Klutts started at quarterback last year before moving to receiver after suffering a knee injury. He was impressive in the scrimmage, especially running the ball.
Pitchford, who will be a sophomore next season, had several impressive throws for the Red team, although the white defense did apply good pressure.
Nick Donathan, who filled it at quarterback last year, is back at running break and broke away for a long touchdown run for the Red team while Michael Reynolds and Kaydon Evans also had some good runs for the White team.
Blake Roley, who hasn’t played the last couple of years while concentrating on basketball and baseball, is out for football and had a good catch and run from a pass from Pitchford.
Tyler Tustin also caught a long pass for the Red team while Jesse Woodson had a nice run on a reverse for the White squad.
The Pirates will have to fill some spots on both lines, but do have some talent and size looking for playing time. The major question is at inside linebacker as James Dighton and Connor Gilstrap both graduated after excellent seasons.
Again, there is some talent available, although those positions might be filled from younger players or players changing positions.
All these questions and more will be answered on Friday, Sept. 2 when the Pirates open at home against Checotah.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Way to go Wildcats
A lot of teams deserve to win a state championship.
There are a lot of talented teams in every class. But Wister deserved to win a state championship and the Wildcats did Saturday with a 4-2 win over Dale.
Yes, the Wildcats are talented. Teams don't get to the state tournament without having good players. But as I mentioned in a previous blog, Wister plays baseball the way it should be played.
And maybe this will be a lesson to other teams who think trash talking and trying to rattle the opponent is a vital part of the game.
In the two years I have watched these Wildcats play, I have never seen any of their players or coaches do a single thing to try and disrespect an opponent, even when they have had plenty of reasons to get upset.
In many ways, this is old-school baseball. The Wildcats have good pitching (sorry, great pitching in the postseason), excellent hitting and strong defense. That is the secret to a good team and why Wister has been so successful.
The Wildcats have been on a roll since the 2010 LCT, when they captured the tournament despite not being the favorite. Since then, they have rarely been challenged and have reached the state tournament three straight times.
In the two previous trips (last spring and in the fall), Wister fell to Silo. The Wildcats got another shot at top-ranked Silo in the semifinals this year and didn't let the past defeats bother them. Instead, Wister pounded Silo, 6-1, to erase those past disappointments and move into the finals against second-ranked Dale.
All three pitchers Tyler Gibson, Cody Luman and Clint Crane, who dominated in the state tournament, will be back again. The Wildcats only lose three seniors: Josh Wolfe, Devon Midgley and Scoute Warren, so they will be a powerhouse again.
Wister's win also capped off a successful year of sports for our county teams. The championship was the second for county teams this school year after Talihina won the boys Class 2A state championship in basketball.
Whitesboro also reached the state baseball tournament in the fall. Poteau's girls made the state softball tournaments in the fall and spring. Spiro made it to the quarterfinals in football and the Lady Bulldogs reached the state tournament in basketball. The Bulldogs also won the baseball LCT and came within a game of reaching the state tournament in 3A.
Also, Poteau's boys and girls golf teams made it to the state tournaments this spring.
So to everybody, thanks for the memories and congratulations to Wister on a job well done.
There are a lot of talented teams in every class. But Wister deserved to win a state championship and the Wildcats did Saturday with a 4-2 win over Dale.
Yes, the Wildcats are talented. Teams don't get to the state tournament without having good players. But as I mentioned in a previous blog, Wister plays baseball the way it should be played.
And maybe this will be a lesson to other teams who think trash talking and trying to rattle the opponent is a vital part of the game.
In the two years I have watched these Wildcats play, I have never seen any of their players or coaches do a single thing to try and disrespect an opponent, even when they have had plenty of reasons to get upset.
In many ways, this is old-school baseball. The Wildcats have good pitching (sorry, great pitching in the postseason), excellent hitting and strong defense. That is the secret to a good team and why Wister has been so successful.
The Wildcats have been on a roll since the 2010 LCT, when they captured the tournament despite not being the favorite. Since then, they have rarely been challenged and have reached the state tournament three straight times.
In the two previous trips (last spring and in the fall), Wister fell to Silo. The Wildcats got another shot at top-ranked Silo in the semifinals this year and didn't let the past defeats bother them. Instead, Wister pounded Silo, 6-1, to erase those past disappointments and move into the finals against second-ranked Dale.
All three pitchers Tyler Gibson, Cody Luman and Clint Crane, who dominated in the state tournament, will be back again. The Wildcats only lose three seniors: Josh Wolfe, Devon Midgley and Scoute Warren, so they will be a powerhouse again.
Wister's win also capped off a successful year of sports for our county teams. The championship was the second for county teams this school year after Talihina won the boys Class 2A state championship in basketball.
Whitesboro also reached the state baseball tournament in the fall. Poteau's girls made the state softball tournaments in the fall and spring. Spiro made it to the quarterfinals in football and the Lady Bulldogs reached the state tournament in basketball. The Bulldogs also won the baseball LCT and came within a game of reaching the state tournament in 3A.
Also, Poteau's boys and girls golf teams made it to the state tournaments this spring.
So to everybody, thanks for the memories and congratulations to Wister on a job well done.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Thanks, Carroll
Carroll Rogers served as commissioner of Dist. 1 in LeFlore County for several years and was most recently chairman of the commissioners.
He was defeated by Derwin Gist in the 2010 election, but made sure to give the county a gift before leaving office.
Rogers ordered supplies from various venders in his last year, even though the purchases were not approved by the commissioners, as they should have been, and went way over his budget.
He made purchases of some $400,000 from the businesses. When the invoices were presented for payment, county officials quickly figured out these purchases had never been approved.
That left the three current commissioners in a bind. The purchases were not approved in any meeting, plus the funds were not available. Initially, the requests for money were turned down by the commissioners since, of course, the purchases had never been approved.
This wasn’t fair for the various businesses, of course, since they were out a lot of money in filling orders from the county, or to be accurate, a county commissioner.
Some of these orders were rather large and would put the businesses in a bind. So the businesses filed a “friendly lawsuit” against LeFlore County, seeking the money owed.
Now, the commissioners along with other county leaders are deciding what to do. Unfortunately, it looks like the invoices will be paid as the county will have to take care of it or a judgment could be entered against the county.
Actually, it is not technically the county which will have to pay these debts. It will be the tax payers of LeFlore County.
Our taxes will be raised to pay these bills, even though most of the county did not benefit.
This is not right, of course, but apparently is the only option available. Whether anything can be done to Rogers either in a criminal or civil manner is unknown, not that it would bail out the tax payers.
So thanks, Carroll.
He was defeated by Derwin Gist in the 2010 election, but made sure to give the county a gift before leaving office.
Rogers ordered supplies from various venders in his last year, even though the purchases were not approved by the commissioners, as they should have been, and went way over his budget.
He made purchases of some $400,000 from the businesses. When the invoices were presented for payment, county officials quickly figured out these purchases had never been approved.
That left the three current commissioners in a bind. The purchases were not approved in any meeting, plus the funds were not available. Initially, the requests for money were turned down by the commissioners since, of course, the purchases had never been approved.
This wasn’t fair for the various businesses, of course, since they were out a lot of money in filling orders from the county, or to be accurate, a county commissioner.
Some of these orders were rather large and would put the businesses in a bind. So the businesses filed a “friendly lawsuit” against LeFlore County, seeking the money owed.
Now, the commissioners along with other county leaders are deciding what to do. Unfortunately, it looks like the invoices will be paid as the county will have to take care of it or a judgment could be entered against the county.
Actually, it is not technically the county which will have to pay these debts. It will be the tax payers of LeFlore County.
Our taxes will be raised to pay these bills, even though most of the county did not benefit.
This is not right, of course, but apparently is the only option available. Whether anything can be done to Rogers either in a criminal or civil manner is unknown, not that it would bail out the tax payers.
So thanks, Carroll.
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