IN THE SWIM: Larry English of Duke Center dropped by with a
photograph of the last standard oil rig to be drilled in Derrick
City in the 1940s, which included a water tank his group of kids
used for a swimming hole.

“None of us could swim, but we would sit or hang onto the edge
of the tank and splash around,” Larry writes.

“Boser and Watters were drilling on the Barry lease in Derrick
City. They had about a 10-foot tank for the rig and a Buffalo
engine, which kept the water warm.

“I fell off the rim into the tank and thought I was going to
drown. I floundered around and grabbed someone’s foot and pulled
myself up.

“In those days, there were a lot of oil leases and tanks, and
kids would splash around ’til they got run off. It was dangerous to
splash in them.”

We’re going to try to get the photograph in the paper sometime
in the future.

WINTER NOTES: Frank Milks of Ocracoke island in the Outer Banks
writes about winter sports  in Bradford, specifically Zippo ski
slope:

“I’ll never forget my first trip to Zippo Ski Slope. First time
on skis, Ray Shannon taught me how to use the rope tow. Pick it up
one hand behind you let rope slide through your hands then grab and
hold on tight. Being the trusting soul I am, following Ray’s
instructions I did as told. A few seconds later I’m being dragged
up the hill without my skiis. Even I had to laugh later.

“Dick McLaughlin had his father’s old Army wood skis and was
attempting to go over the jump built on the left side of the
mountain. As Dick lifted off the lip of the jump — in mid-air —
both skis just fell off. I don’t think he was hurt, maybe just his
ego, but it was so funny to see.”