January 21, 2023 Issue, Page 9 of 24

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Serving S@,_ Western Oklahoma y4 | Since 1901 Weekday Editi Documentary Memorializes Oklahoma Roughnecks’ Heroic Contributions to WWII Victory Pictured are George and Earlene Holley on their wed- ding day. Courtesy photo. A fails: snhem Sve fe.11, Zees Pictured from left are Mac Alloway, Dr. Gus Gertsch, Director of OU Starkeys Energy Center, Mark Stansberry, Dean Sims, Executive Director of the Energy Advocates. Stansberry was presented the Oil Patch Warrior statuette, a replica of the sev- “Unto Thy People...” en-foot statue for his (2000) Outstanding Service and for founding the International Energy Policy Conference. Courtesy photo. tiesto es ;Pictured is Mark Stansberry in front of the Oil Patch Warrior statue that sits in Ardmore Memorial Park in downtown Ard- By more. Courtesy photo. Jerry C. Brewer By Sheryl Ponce As Executive Producer of documentary “Sherwood Forest: Top Secret”, PBS.org, Elk City native Mark Stansberry in associ- BrewerPublications Ms ation with Oscar-winning Producer Gray Frederickson, exposed a the story of how Oklahoma roughnecks’ top-secret mission to drill for oil made victory possible in WWII. Although the story impacted the war's outcome, it seems to have remained top se- cret to the world. As an energy expert, Stansberry has wanted to tell the story for years, and he accomplished that with the late Gray Freder- Earlene Aldridge’s ickson. The documentary that can be seen on OETA was writ- ten and directed by Greg Mellott. It was narrated by actor Barry Corbin. With Stansberry as the executive producer, they credited Century Celebration Takes Place Saturday the Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas (OERB), the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Kirkpatrick Foundation, among others for Mark Stansberry with actor Barry Corbin, narrator of the the ability to bring the project to fruition. The documentary has “Sherwood Forest: Top Secret.” Courtesy photo. been dedicated to the memory of Gray Frederickson who lost his By Sheryl Ponce battle with cancer while completing the film gland. There’s a museum there as well. The statue and members Stansberry has wanted to have this story told since the 90s of the Energy Advocates got my interest because I really didn't ‘The family and friends of Earlene Aldridge Holley will host when he was asked to be a member of the International Society, know anything about it at the time, that was over 30 years ago.” her 100 years on Sat., Jan. 28th, at the Elk City Nursing Home the Energy Advocates. The organization was founded in 1974 be- Stansberry explained. and Rehabilitation Center, located at 301 N. Garrett St., at 2 cause ofthe oil embargo. There was a group of Oklahoma oil men In about 2000, or ten years later the Energy Advocates want- p.m. Her daughter and son-in-law Sherlene and Jerry Brewer and energy leaders who started the organization, and they would ed to erect a statue in Ardmore because many of the initial lead- would like to invite everyone to stop by and wish her a happy travel around the country talking about energy. ership of oil came from that area. Lloyd Noble was one of the key birthday. “They (Energy Advocates) asked me to be a member of the or- people, as well as some others that helped launch the roughnecks Holley was born Feb. 1st, 1923, in Fort Sumner, DeBa- ganization. I started attending meetings about 1990, which was to Sherwood Forest. “That year (2000) Energy Advocates started a campaign effort ca County, New Mexico. She grew up in Retrop, and later she based in Tulsa. While I was at a meeting there was a gentleman, Jay O'Melia, who was a sculptor. He came to the meeting, and to erect a statue in Ardmore, and they asked if I'd help with that, moved to Elk City. She was married to the late George Holley he talked about the ‘Oil Patch Warrior, a sculpture that he want- so I did. I helped on the fundraising side of making sure there who passed away in 1997. They had four children — the late Jer- ed to put in Nottinghamshire, England, at Sherwood Forest. The was a statue in Ardmore. There was a dedication in Ardmore's ry Holley, Sherlene Brewer, Connie Payne, and Blain Holley. sculpture is symbolic of the roughnecks who went to Sherwood Memorial Park, downtown in honor of the Oil Patch Warrior “She wasa hard worker. We lived on a farm, and she was out Forest in 1943. I didn't know a whole lot about that story at the and the roughnecks. Energy Advocate Chairman, Mac Alloway working with Daddy all the time. That's all she knew. Her whole time. They asked us to contribute to the project, and they actually See Documentary page 2. family just worked. That's what they knew, chopping cotton. went over (to England) in 1991. The statue was erected in En- ‘They eventually were able to build a dairy barn, Ican remember Mother and Daddy building the barn themselves. I was almost RCCT Presents Ovation Awards nine years old when my sister was born, my brother was almost 11, and I took care of them while Mother worked out in the field,” Brewer said. ka,” and “Little Women.” ‘The couple eventually left the farm to move to Elk City Chairman of the Board, Christy Russell-Dobbs, opened the where thy owned several businesses. Brewer said they had five celebration and introduced the guests and presentations for the gas stations, laundries, and a car wash. They had two farms but evening. The cast from each of the shows gave a snippet of their sold them around 1961 after Sherlene and Jerry got married. production for the full house. “They moved up here (Elk City) and Mother's first job was ‘The winners for the 2022 season were as follows: in Elk Laundry. Then she worked at Dairy Queen and Tasty Best Actor in a Comedy or Drama went to Wade Showers as the Younger Laurie in “Little Women.” Freeze. They started buying businesses. She isa hard worker. I Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama was Joshua guess that is why she has lived so long,” Brewer added. Barnett for Mr. March in “Little Women.” She said that her mother would say that she has hada good Best Character Actor in a Comedy or Drama went to Brandt life. Holley raised her family to work hard, not to take anything Arganbright as Professor Bhaer in “Little Women.” from anyone, and pay for everything they got. Connie Ferreo and Jim Mason Best Cameo Actor in a Comedy or Drama was Ben Perkins as After Sherlene and Jerry were married, he would go to the By Sheryl Ponce Mr. Davis/Mr. Dashwood in “Little Women.” cotton fields with Holley, and it was not an easy task. She would Best Actress in a Comedy or Drama was Christy Russell-Dobbs work him hard, not stopping all day. as Lexie in “Sweet Delilah Swim Club.” “I remember going to bed at 9 p.m. and getting up at 5 a.m., ‘The Second Annual Ovation Awards Ceremony was held on Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama went to Cassi- eating breakfast, and Daddy would go get milk. Thad the cream Jan, 21st at the Red Carpet Community Theatre, at 7:30 p.m., lo- dy Crabb as the Older Amy in “Little Women.” and brought them to Elk City to sell. That is when we got the cated at 322 N. Jefferson. The celebration was free for the public Best Character Actress in a Comedy or Drama was Kat Tate as as the Board of Directors honored the cast, crew, and directors Vernadette in “Sweet Delilah Swim Club.” dairy barn,” Brewer said, for their hard work for the season’s four productions. Those in- See Aldridge page 2. cluded “Sweet Delilah’s Swim Club,” “My Fair Lady,” “Willy Won- See Awards page 2. Weather Vol. 120, No. 7 Mail delivery View online StL tomorrow / 26 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com