| The Daily Oklahoman asked readers to share their favorite advice offered by their fathers. Ward's sister, Louanne Trueblood, submitted a memory of their father, R.A. "Dutch" Ward. Her submission was included in the below article published on June 18th, 2006. |
| Scroll down below the article for an odd story. |
First some background.........
Both of Ward's parents were teachers and at one time taught at Antioch School [see below]. Antioch
was a two room schoolhouse and was opened from 1908-1962. Both Ward and his sister attended
school at Antioch and were taught by their parents.
Now the odd story...........
When Ward received this article in the mail from his sister, he was surprised to read that his dad used
to put a "saying for the day" on the blackboard. As we all know, that was something that Ward did as
well. In a phone conversation with his sister, Ward told her he had no idea that his dad used to put
daily sayings on the blackboard. She responded by saying that she assumed that's where he got the
idea from. Ward told her no, that it was just something he decided to start doing. After further
discussion, they figured out that their dad didn't begin writing the daily sayings until Louanne, who is
five years younger than Ward, joined his class.
For purpose of effect, imagine if you will, the following passage being read by one, Mr. Rod Serling.
The fact that Ward unknowingly carried on a tradition started by his father is sufficient to brand
this an odd story, but there is another odd, or more fittingly, eerie part to the story.......In the
article, Ward's sister states that the saying that she has always remembered is, "Some are wise,
and some are otherwise." Well, it just so happens that very saying was one of the first that Ward
put on the blackboard for his students to enjoy. It also was among the first Ward put on this
website's blackboard. Coincidence? Not likely. Genetics? Possibly. According to Ward, his dad
was quite a character with a wonderful sense of humor, which Ward definitely inherited.
Or perhaps the answer lies somewhere else. Maybe there is a bond that ties us. A bond so strong
that it transcends time and space, allowing a story like this to be possible.
A bond that can only be forged in the shadows of, The Twilight Zone.
Both of Ward's parents were teachers and at one time taught at Antioch School [see below]. Antioch
was a two room schoolhouse and was opened from 1908-1962. Both Ward and his sister attended
school at Antioch and were taught by their parents.
Now the odd story...........
When Ward received this article in the mail from his sister, he was surprised to read that his dad used
to put a "saying for the day" on the blackboard. As we all know, that was something that Ward did as
well. In a phone conversation with his sister, Ward told her he had no idea that his dad used to put
daily sayings on the blackboard. She responded by saying that she assumed that's where he got the
idea from. Ward told her no, that it was just something he decided to start doing. After further
discussion, they figured out that their dad didn't begin writing the daily sayings until Louanne, who is
five years younger than Ward, joined his class.
For purpose of effect, imagine if you will, the following passage being read by one, Mr. Rod Serling.
The fact that Ward unknowingly carried on a tradition started by his father is sufficient to brand
this an odd story, but there is another odd, or more fittingly, eerie part to the story.......In the
article, Ward's sister states that the saying that she has always remembered is, "Some are wise,
and some are otherwise." Well, it just so happens that very saying was one of the first that Ward
put on the blackboard for his students to enjoy. It also was among the first Ward put on this
website's blackboard. Coincidence? Not likely. Genetics? Possibly. According to Ward, his dad
was quite a character with a wonderful sense of humor, which Ward definitely inherited.
Or perhaps the answer lies somewhere else. Maybe there is a bond that ties us. A bond so strong
that it transcends time and space, allowing a story like this to be possible.
A bond that can only be forged in the shadows of, The Twilight Zone.
