Give Gayla a Hippo for Christmas

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas is a Christmas novelty song written by John Coctoasten and performed by Gayla Peevey ,(10 years old at the time), in 1953. Gayla was a regional child star of the Oklahoma City area. This 1953 hit was recorded in New York and later used as a fund-raiser to bring the city zoo a hippo, using the slogan, Give Gayla a Hippo for Christmas. When released nationally by Columbia Records the song shot to the top of the charts, and Gayla was presented with a baby hippo named Matilda the following Christmas, which she then donated to the Oklahoma City Zoo.

(You can listen to a recent radio interview with Gayla Peevey by clicking here!)

This particular video was done by some clever character who posted it on YouTube. The first time I watched it, I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants!

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The B C Clark Jingle: An Oklahoma Icon

If you grew up in Oklahoma, you know what I'm talking about. It just isn't Christmas until you hear it! I remember as a kid, when I heard the jingle I would get all excited because that meant that Christmas was almost here!

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Statehood Day--Oklahoma at 100

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The road to 100 -- The Centennial Float

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The Road to 100 -- Pawhuska, the Osage Capital

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Oh! What a beautiful mornin'

Being from Oklahoma, I always have to laugh when I see the scenery in this film. It wasn't shot in Oklahoma, but rather in New Mexico, because the Hollywood producers said that Oklahoma didn't "look like Oklahoma". Tell me now, how New Mexico can look more like Oklahoma, than Oklahoma does?

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Grateful for my state

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I could kick me own arse for missing this!

Back in June, the first annual Stillwater Celtic Music Festival was held at the Payne County Fairgrounds. It came and went and Steph and I knew nothing about it. If we had known, we'd have been there! From the video clip below, it looks like it was incredible! We won't miss it next year, that's for sure.

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A Centennial Concert

Our first rehearsal with The Stillwater Chamber Singers was Monday night, and Mark announced that the first concert of the season would be an Oklahoma Centennial celebration concert in conjunction with the Stillwater High School Chorale, the Stillwater Junior High School Chorus, and the Stillwater Honor Choir. Featured will be operatic soprano and Oklahoma native, Leona Mitchell, and the music of several Oklahoma composers.

For anyone interested in attending, the concert will be presented on Monday, November 5th, at 7:00 p.m. in the SHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $8:00 for adults and $5.00 for students and senior citizens.

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