Oops...

Bill Babcock’s first blog on the Heavener group was very interesting. I like memories about Heavener’s past. And he is much older than I, so he probably has more to remember.

I had a comment on his first one, but I’m sad to say I didn’t check my sources and I told him “maybe he was thinking of Gordon Patterson, rather than Ralph, in reference to the Methodist minister.

After I went to bed last night, I started thinking about some of his “memories,” and one thing that crossed my mind is that if he played in the oil branch as a kid, just possibly Ralph was, in fact, the minister. The only one I remember is Gordon, Jim’s dad. That was in the mid ‘60s.

So, when I got up early this morning, the first thing I did was email Jim, to ask him if Ralph had been the minister at the Methodist, and if that’s how Ralph met his current wife, Rena.

Yes and yes.

Jim said, “My uncle Ralph was indeed Methodist minister at Heavener several years before we were there. And, yes, that would have been where he met Rena. After both their spouses passed away I guess they just decided to get married.” Once I checked my sources, and realized it had been I that made a mistake … I honestly apologize for thinking Bill may not have had his facts straight.

There, I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong about something.

I honestly enjoyed Bill’s memories.

I didn’t realize the oil branch began at the round house. Now, that I think about it, it certainly makes sense and, thus, the name oil branch. Cynthia didn’t realize it, either, and her dad was a long-time railroader.

Yes, I recall the old Liberty Theater, but the cost of 10 cents to get in to the movie stunned me. Why, by the 1960s, it cost us probably as much as 25 cents! Popcorn and a coke probably that much, too.

Whew, the inflation rate sure hit fast didn’t it? And now, well, going to a movie is out of sight. Cynthia and I are movie-goers, but we have a membership to Blockbuster as well.

Fact of the matter is, we plan to watch a blockbuster movie tonight … after the Yankees game, which, BTW, is televised.

No, I don’t remember the old horse-drawn wagons. That’s a little before my time, Bill. I do remember the Ledbetter’s house, though.

I remember growing up just a few houses from the Babcock’s, and Bob getting out in the yard practicing his centers back to Joe. Jim, I remember him as well. Those were the good ole’ days.

And your store down at Octavia, and what you’ve turned in into now.

Anyway, keep the memories coming.