The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Community Service

Related Photos

  • John Thomas poses by the Tri-State statue on the Garfield County Court House lawn on the downtown Square in Enid. Thomas has been a long-time volunteer with Tri-State Music Festival. (Staff Photo by SHAWN YORKS)

    John_Thomas_1_SY.jpg

  • Tri-State Logo.jpg

    Tri-State Logo.jpg

Discussion

April 24, 2010

Tri-State sounds good to Thomas

Rural mail carrier takes a week off to deliver services to annual festival

By Kasey Fowler, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — For the last 16 years, John Thomas has taken a week off of his job as a rural mail carrier to volunteer with the annual Tri-State Music Festival.

Thomas has done about every job there is with Tri-State, he said, starting when he was in fourth grade, as a participant.

“When I was in the fourth grade, I marched in Tri-State for Enid. I was in Roosevelt (Elementary School). We would walk over to Longfellow (Junior High School) for band. I did elementary, junior high and high school band,” said Thomas. “I started off on cornet. Because of my four older brothers, it was the instrument I had. I then went to French horn and finished off high school on it.”

Once out of high school, Thomas continued his interest in music while in the Navy.

“I got into the Navy boot camp, and they found out I played an instrument, and so they had me play bugle,” Thomas said.

He returned to Enid in 1971 and later went to work at the post office. While there, he worked with Donny Beckwith, who along with his wife was a strong supporter of Tri-State.

“Donny got sick with cancer. I went to his wife and said, ‘Look, in Donny’s honor I’d like to work Tri-State. I have a strong back, use me how you can,’” said Thomas.

Thomas ended up working lots of jobs during that week, and by Saturday he was the parade chairman.

“That was 16 years ago, and I enjoy the heck out of it,” he said.

During Tri-State, Thomas usually is in charge of a competition, which comes with several tasks.

“I get there early to find out what size groups I’ll have. You have make sure you have enough chairs and music stands. You have to have each judge at a different table at a certain distance from the group. If there is room, you make chairs available for parents,” he said.

“You have to be sure there are quiet signs. You have to set up the warm-up room. When you are ready to bring the group in, you get the score sheet from the directors and give them to the judges. You have to get them out when they are finished and get the next band in. You also have to keep the other kids from running around in the hall and keep them quiet.”

Although Thomas donates his time and wears a lot of hats, he said it is kind of selfish because he gets so much enjoyment from working at Tri-State.

“Kids who are in music, band, orchestra, choir, they are usually the top 10 percent of their class. You can’t be around them without attracting some of that intelligence,” he said. “I have a ball every year. I hear people say they appreciate me, but I appreciate the kids and the parents and the band directors.

“I am a high school-educated mailman who just loves being around the kids,” Thomas said. “You can’t be around them without drawing in their enthusiasm and energy.”

This year’s Tri-State Music Festival begins Wednesday with competitions and extends through the week with various events to conclude Saturday.Ǵ

Text Only
Community Service
  • John_Thomas_1_SY.jpg Tri-State sounds good to Thomas

    John Thomas has done about every job there is with Tri-State, he said, starting when he was in fourth grade, as a participant.

    April 24, 2010 2 Photos

  • Jerry Erwin_SY.jpg Erwin helps people through CASA

    The Court Appointed Special Advocates program, CASA, is a nationwide program in which volunteers work independent from either side of a child welfare case to communicate what the child believes is in his or her best interest.

    April 24, 2010 1 Photo

  • Ann_Richie_BH.jpg Hooked on history

    When those portraying the Chautauqua characters talk to the audience as if they were living in the same time period, Ann Ritchie observed what she believes is a great way to teach.

    April 24, 2010 1 Photo

  • Reserve_Deputy_BH.jpg Out on patrol

    Undersheriff Jerry Niles said reserves must complete the same classes and training as regular deputies, undergo a background check and have good moral standards. They must complete a training academy and become Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training certified.

    April 24, 2010 2 Photos

  • KlemmeCelebratingEnid-7.jpg Celebrating a community

    Mike Klemme's “Celebrating Enid” is a planned, organized compilation of assets in Enid and northwest Oklahoma taken over the period of a year.

    April 24, 2010 9 Photos

  • Marshall_Billinslea_BH.jpg Meeting needs in non-traditional way

    “A lot of different programs will teach to search for a higher power. Our focus is obviously on Jesus. I think people by nature are limited. We’re human beings. We’re mortal. But God is unlimited. He can reach us wherever we’re at, whatever we’re going through.” — Marshall Billingslea, pastor of Anew Church in Enid

    April 24, 2010 1 Photo

  • Laroy_Goodpasture.jpg No. 1 priority

    “It’s all for senior citizens.” — Laroy Goodpasture

    April 24, 2010 1 Photo

  • Christianne_Chase_1_SY.jpg On and off the stage

    Christianne Chase's first performance was in 1967 when, as a young girl, her mother took her to auditions for the musical “Tom Sawyer,” and she was cast in the chorus. She was hooked. That production was in the old Gaslight Theatre on 2nd Street.

    April 24, 2010 2 Photos

  • Doug_Swanson_SY.jpg Enid’s piano man has the keys to life: Keep playing

    Doug Swanson plays piano at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church and records music for Waukomis Christian Church’s choir, which also can be heard Sundays.

    April 24, 2010 1 Photo

  • Martie_Olyer_BH.jpg Oyler comes from long line of community ‘servants’

    Martie Oyler, manager of Oklahoma Natural Gas Co., has been a member of Enid Rotary Club more than 10 years and its community service director the past three. During that time she developed an interest in community projects and began writing grants to Rotary International.

    April 24, 2010 1 Photo