Quirky Central Oklahoma Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sooners and Cowboys

University of Oklahoma sports teams go by the name the Sooners. OU is located in Norman, just south of Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma State University sports teams are known as the Cowboys. OSU is located in Stillwater, northeast of Oklahoma City.

Answer: Newsline Nine

This news-gathering institution, established in 1953, has been at the forefront in the nation for breaking news and weather coverage. It has also been instrumental in the development of better technology with which to present the news to its viewers.

Answer: Gary England

Mr. England and his team of forecasters got me through many a storm season. At the slightest little hint of severe weather, my TV went straight to Gary. He has been instrumental in the invention of more and more accurate forecasting techniques over the years. Gary became the first in history to warn the public of severe weather with Doppler radar in 1981. I love to watch the movie "Twister" because you can see Gary in authentic TV spots covering tornadoes in the early 70s.

Answer: oil

There are wells actively pumping right in front of the capitol building. While it is unclear exactly when oil was discovered there, the grounds have been leased for production since 1935. At one time, a dozen oil rigs formed a ring around the capitol grounds.

Answer: Guthrie

Guthrie was actually capital of Oklahoma territory and then Oklahoma state from 1889-1910 when the capital was moved to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma was admitted to the Union in 1907.

Guthrie was used as the location when the characters stopped to consult a psychiatrist about autism. Some other Oklahoma towns used in "Rain Man" were El Reno, which was used as Amarillo, and Cogar. Dustin Hoffman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of an autistic man.

Answer: Danny Williams

This talented performer loved to say, "I love you....pass it on" at the end of his broadcasts. Danny also created characters such as 'Dan-D-Dynamo' and has hosted numerous radio and television programs, such as 'Danny's Day'.

Answer: National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Founded in 1955, this wonderful archive is home to numerous works of art, artifacts and mementoes which bear tribute to the western heritage of America. This is a must-see for any visitor to central Oklahoma.

Answer: Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building

On April 19, 1995 a truck bomb was parked on the street just outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At exactly 9:01 a.m. it was detonated and made history as the worst act of domestic terrorism ever in the history of the United States of America up to that date. Within two hours the prime culprit of this devasting horror was stopped by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for driving without a license plate.

This culprit, Timothy McVeigh, stood trial, was found guilty and was executed on June 11, 2001.

Another involved in the crime, Terry Nichols, was imprisoned for life after being found guilty. Yet another culprit, Michael Fortier, was also imprisoned for life after being found guilty. The National Parks Service maintains a beautiful and moving Memorial to the lives lost in the tragedy and each year on the anniversary a service is conducted to honor those affected.

Answer: Brad Pitt

Born just five months to the day after I was, on December 18, 1963, William Bradley Pitt has become quite a mega-star. His marriage to Jennifer Aniston (2000-2005) was a hot topic for the papparazzi. Brad and Angelina Jolie starred together in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith". That's not bad for a kid from Oklahoma. Shawnee is located just to the east of Oklahoma City.

Answer: BC Clark

Unless you travel to central Oklahoma between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you can only hear this OKC standard by contacting the jeweler and purchasing a recording. I always loved to listen for this jingle for the first time every year on Thanksgiving Day - and speaking of quirky...it happens to be one of my favorite Christmas songs.

The lyrics:
Jewelry is the gift to give, 'cause its the gift that'll live and live.
So, give the gift you know can't fail, from BC Clark's Anniversary Sale.
Most sales are after Christmas, but Clark's is just before.
Most everything is marked way down, savings you can't ignore.
At Oklahoma's oldest jeweler, since 1892.
So, give the gift you know can't fail, from BC Clark's Anniversary Sale.

BC Clark also devised a promotion called "Pray for Rain" whereby if it rained or snowed more than an inch on your wedding day, and you purchased your diamond engagement ring from the company, they pay for your ring up to $5,000!

Stores have been established in downtown Oklahoma City, the NorthPark Mall and Penn Square Mall.

Thanks for playing my quiz about my home state. If you haven't visited, you should. There are many more interesting things to see and do.