Date: December 21, 2025 Host: Matt West

In this special Christmas edition of Woodward Shoutouts, we step back from the noise of the holidays to rediscover the power of quiet moments. While the world often focuses on perfection, we explore how the first Christmas wasn't about banners or cheering crowds, but a tired mother and a borrowed stable. We discuss how God entered the "mess" and uncertainty of the world quietly, proving that faith doesn't need stage lights to carry the weight of the world.

We dig into the archives to look at a poignant clipping from a 1943 Woodward County Journal found tucked in the bottom corner of the page. The message warned citizens that war couldn't wait for the holidays, asking them to restrict long-distance calls to keep lines open for troop movements and vital orders. This segment honors the "quiet sacrifice" of a generation that gave up convenience and peace of mind without complaining.

Meet Roxy, a heeler who has been left behind while others found homes. Roxy has spent her life outside without a warm corner, yet she still presses her head against people, looking for safety and a chance to really rest. We are looking for a patient owner to give her a "forever home," because the dogs who wait the longest often love the hardest.

Get ready to bundle up and join your neighbors for these local traditions:

• Santa Fire Truck Cruise: Tomorrow at 6:00 PM, watch for sirens and lights as Santa rolls through town.
• Ham Cook-Off & Dart Tournament: Tomorrow at 4:00 PM, featuring good food and friendly competition.
• SNACC Time (Sunday Night at the Movies): Tomorrow at 6:00 PM for popcorn and a movie with neighbors.
• Live Music on Main Street: Monday, Dec 22 at 12:00 PM.
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Wednesday, Dec 24 at 5:00 PM for hymns and reflection.
• KidzRock Winter Fun Days: Monday, Dec 29 at 10:00 AM, a great way for kids to burn off holiday energy.

• "O Holy Night" – A rendition by sisters Lucy and Martha Thomas, celebrated for being "just voices, just reverence, just truth".

• Question: In O Holy Night, what phrase captures the heart of Christmas—the same truth seen in the nativity and everyday acts of love?
• Answer: "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices".

• Subscribe: Sign up for the Woodward Shoutouts newsletter for the latest news and small-town charm.
• Watch: Check us out on YouTube or join our Facebook Group.
• Quote of the Week: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." — John 1:5.

Episode Description In this episode, we dive into the legendary career of Bob "The Blonde Bomber" Fenimore, a gridiron icon whose journey began in the small town of Woodward, Oklahoma. Born in 1925, Fenimore honed his skills in his childhood front yard before becoming a collegiate powerhouse at Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University). We explore his explosive sophomore and junior seasons, his unbroken defensive records, and his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Join us as we celebrate a player whose versatility and dedication earned him a permanent spot among football royalty.

Key Takeaways From This Episode:

• Small-Town Roots: Fenimore was born on October 6, 1925, in Woodward, Oklahoma, where his early passion for football was nurtured during countless hours of practice in his front yard.
• The Triple Threat: Standing 6'1" and weighing 190 pounds, Fenimore was known for unparalleled versatility, excelling as a halfback, safety, and punter.
• Dominating the 1940s:
  • In 1944, he led the nation in total offense with 1,758 yards and ranked third in rushing, eighth in passing, and ninth in scoring.
  • In 1945, he once again led the nation in total offense (1,641 yards) and rushing (1,119 yards), placing third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
• The Perfect Season: Fenimore led the Aggies to a perfect 9-0 record in 1945, securing a Sugar Bowl victory and a national championship.
• Defensive Mastery: His ability to read the game resulted in 18 career interceptions, a school record that remains unbroken today.
• Professional & Posthumous Honors: In 1947, Fenimore was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, selected by the Chicago Bears. His legacy was cemented with inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame (1972) and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame (2007). Most recently, in 2022, his name was added to the Ring of Honor at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Featured Stats:

• 4,627 Yards: Fenimore's total offense record, which stood for over four decades until it was surpassed by Mike Gundy.
• 39.0 Yards: His punting average in 1945, which ranked him seventh in the nation.
• 72 Points: His scoring total in 1945, ranking him 13th nationally.

Resources & Links:

• This episode features information from the article "Bob 'The Blonde Bomber' Fenimore: From Woodward to Football Glory" published by Woodward Shoutouts, your guide for news and stories celebrating the Woodward community.

To understand Bob Fenimore's value on the field, imagine a Swiss Army Knife in a toolbox full of hammers; while others were built for a single purpose, Fenimore was the rare instrument capable of doing everything—running, passing, kicking, and defending—with equal precision and effectiveness.

Here are the podcast show notes based on the provided source material, following the "Deep Dive" format established in our previous conversation.

Podcast: Woodward Shoutouts Deep Dive Episode Summary: In this episode, we examine a peculiar round building located just west of 22nd Street and south of Texas Avenue in Woodward. To the casual observer, it's just a faded steel structure, but its history reveals a profound transformation. We explore how this building began its life as a guard shack tower at the WWII Prisoner of War camp in Alva, Oklahoma, designed to keep enemies in. Yet, after being hauled to Woodward, it became a barbershop where a man named Carl helped his community "let things out". Join us as we discuss the irony of a war machine becoming a sanctuary for peace, the stoic nature of small-town love, and the legacy of the barber who knew everyone's secrets.

Key Topics & Highlights:

• Architecture of Containment vs. Release: We discuss the incredible journey of the building itself. Originally a steel-walled guard tower used to monitor prisoners of war in Alva, it was repurposed into a neighborhood barbershop. We analyze the poetic irony of a structure built to enforce confinement becoming a safe space for emotional release.

• Carl: The Therapist with Shears: We profile Carl, the barber who ran the shop for decades. Unlike a standard stylist, Carl is described as having "gentle hands" and "tired eyes," functioning less like a businessman and more like a confessor. We explore the idea that for many men in Woodward, Carl's chair was the closest thing they had to a therapist's couch.

• The Language of Silence: A touching story is shared about a customer who visited Carl after burying his father. We break down Carl's profound wisdom regarding the father's silence during childhood haircuts: "He brought you here because this was how he told you he loved you". This highlights a generational form of affection defined by presence rather than words.

• The "Hum" of History: Though Carl has retired, the building remains. We discuss the concept of "history humming through steel walls," and how places absorb the energy of "peace, trust, and unspoken truths" over decades of service.

Memorable Quotes:

• "That barber shop used to be a guard shack tower... It used to keep people in. Now? It's remembered as a place where people let things out."
• "He didn't offer some polished line... He just reached up, patted the man on the shoulder, and said... 'He brought you here because this was how he told you he loved you.'"
• "And if those walls could talk? They wouldn't. They'd listen just like Carl."

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Location: West of 22nd Street, south of Texas Avenue, Woodward, OK.
• Historical Context: The WWII POW Camp in Alva, Oklahoma.

Connect & Subscribe: Do you have a memory of Carl or a similar "quiet legend" in Woodward? Share your story with us. To get true stories like this delivered to your inbox every Sunday, subscribe at woodwardshouts.com.

Here are podcast show notes created based on the episode transcript provided.

Episode Description: In this episode, we step back into the chaotic days of the American frontier to explore the life of Temple Houston, the youngest son of American icon Sam Houston. We explore how a man born into the Texas Governor's mansion became a gritty frontier lawyer in Woodward, Oklahoma, famously using a blend of scripture, theatrics, and firearms to define justice in a lawless town. From his legendary "Soiled Dove" plea to the gunfights that defined his career, discover why the storyteller—not the statute—often won the day in the Wild West.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• The Weight of a Name: Born in 1860, Temple Houston was orphaned at seven and grew up in the massive shadow of his father, Sam Houston. Despite becoming the youngest practicing attorney in Texas and a State Senator, he moved to Woodward in 1894 to write his own story rather than live as a sequel to his father.
• Frontier Justice: Woodward in the 1890s lacked a sophisticated court system, creating a "legal vacuum" where charisma and passion mattered more than settled law.
• The "Soiled Dove" Plea: We analyze Houston's most famous case: the 1899 defense of Minnie Stacy, a prostitute tried in a makeshift courtroom inside an opera house. Houston secured an acquittal in just 10 minutes by turning a legal defense into a moral argument that humanized the defendant.
• The Gunfighter Lawyer: Houston's life was a mix of eloquence and violence; he once reportedly cleared a courtroom by firing blanks and survived an assassination attempt when a bullet was stopped by a law book he was carrying. He was also acquitted of killing fellow lawyer Ed Jennings on self-defense grounds.
• A Lasting Legacy: Though he died at age 45 in 1905, Houston remains a foundational figure who embodies the spirit of early Oklahoma territory.

Memorable Quotes:

• "He didn't just meet expectations, he shattered them."
• "The law as both his shield and his weapon."
• "Where the law is weak or unsettled, the true power lies with the person who can define morality for the community. The storyteller wins."

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum: The primary keeper of Temple Houston's memory, housing archives and artifacts regarding his life in Woodward.
• Woodward Wonderfest: An upcoming event scheduled for September 20, 2025, designed to connect modern residents with the town's cultural heritage.

Connect & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this deep dive into Woodward's hidden history, subscribe for weekly stories connecting the past and present at woodwardshouts.com.

Here are podcast show notes based on the transcript provided from the "Woodward Shoutouts" deep dive.

Episode Description: In this episode of the Woodward Shoutouts deep dive, we explore one of the region's most enduring enigmas: the story of the "Sandhills Preacher". Known as "the man who built Woodward," this figure was more than just a spiritual leader; he was a logistical hub and economic engine who helped knit together the town's very foundation. Join us as we unpack the timeline of his sudden disappearance following a calm Sunday sermon and how his vanishing left a "practical hole" in the community. We also discuss the rugged geography of the Sandhills and how this specific mystery connects to a darker regional history of disappearances, including the 1947 Joan Gay Croft case and the 2002 disappearance of Logan Tucker.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Builder & The Preacher: How this figure served as both a spiritual guide and a "get things done" leader who organized labor and funded public buildings.
• The Timeline: A look at his final, impassioned—but normal—sermon and his sudden disappearance later that Sunday without a struggle or note.
• The Silent Character: How the shifting dunes and isolation of the Oklahoma Sand Hills make search efforts nearly impossible and help keep secrets hidden.
• A Pattern of Loss: Examining how the local "dark lens" regarding disappearances was shaped by the tragedies of Joan Gay Croft (1947) and Logan Tucker (2002).
• Three Theories: We break down the possibilities debated by the community:
  1. Environmental: An accident or illness in the unforgiving terrain.
  2. Foul Play: The result of land disputes, church politics, or rivalries.
  3. Voluntary Abandonment: The damaging theory that he simply chose to walk away, potentially turning a martyr into a symbol of betrayal.
• The Legacy: How an unanswered question becomes a "foundational myth" and a permanent shadow in Woodward's collective memory.

Notable Quotes:

• "He wasn't just known for say powerful sermons... he was apparently an economic engine... helping set up everything from maybe the first meeting hall to basic roads."
• "The place itself, the terrain, it's like a silent character in this story enabling the disappearance."
• "If he was murdered he's a martyr... but if he left he becomes something else entirely... a symbol of betrayal."

Links & Resources:

• Subscribe for more hidden history: woodwardshouts.com
• Based on the article: The Man Who Built Woodward and Then Vanished

Here are podcast show notes based on the provided transcript from the "Woodward Shoutouts" Deep Dive Podcast.

Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Fdjvk18dedU

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Woodward Shoutouts Deep Dive, we travel back to 1936 to investigate a mysterious event in Woodward, Oklahoma's history: "The Forgotten Blaze." While the title suggests a singular catastrophic inferno, the reality reveals a paradox—there is no official record of one massive fire destroying the town in 1936. Instead, we uncover how this "blaze" became a powerful metaphor for the systemic "slow burn" of the Dust Bowl, economic strangulation, and the resilience required to survive the "Brown Hell" of the Dirty Thirties.

Join us as we explore how constant small fires and environmental collapse forced a shift in construction standards, leading to the use of brick and concrete over wood. We also discuss the monumental construction of the Woodward County Courthouse—a WPA project that became a symbol of permanence—and how those lessons in infrastructure resilience mirror Woodward's major projects in 2024.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• The Paradox of 1936: Despite the dramatic title, there was no single city-destroying fire. The "blaze" symbolizes the collective trauma and "slow destructive burn of despair" caused by the peak of the Dust Bowl era.
• Life in the "Brown Hell": Descriptions of the daily grind during the drought, where static electricity filled the air, dust choked engines and lungs, and agriculture—the town's lifeblood—was devastated.
• A Shift in Building: Frequent smaller fires and the dry climate pushed the community to move away from wood-frame buildings. They began investing in fire-resistant materials like stone, brick, and concrete to "harden" the town against future disasters.
• The Woodward County Courthouse: Construction began in 1936 with help from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This New Deal program provided skilled jobs and wages to struggling families, creating a building that wasn't just fire-resistant, but "crisis resistant".
• Legacy of Resilience (1936 vs. 2024):
  • Just as the courthouse anchored the town in the 30s, modern Woodward is investing in critical infrastructure today.
  • Water: An $11.34 million loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to secure water utilities.
  • Air: The 2024 groundbreaking of a new terminal at West Woodward Airport to boost the region as an economic hub.

Notable Quotes:

• "The crisis was systemic... it was the absolute peak of the dust bowl era... historians sometimes call it the brown hell."
• "The trial stripped everything down like firewood, forcing the community to rebuild, to be reborn in a way."
• "The WPA essentially paid people to build their own town's future."
• "Next time you walk past the courthouse or a dust-ragged building downtown, you might ask 'what story from long ago helped rebuild this place?'"

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Woodward County Courthouse (Construction started 1936)
• The Works Progress Administration (WPA)
• Oklahoma Water Resources Board ($11.34 million loan)
• West Woodward Airport (New terminal project)

Subscribe & Connect: If you enjoyed this deep dive into the stories that shaped our hometown, subscribe at woodwardshouts.com. Join us to stay connected with Woodward's past, present, and future.