In a local community near by own, the city proudly displayed a sign that said it was the hometown of the young lady who was the Queen of Baton Twirling in the state. all communities whether at the local or state level love the celebrities we can call our own. in Oklahoma, there’s no shortage of famous people who can hang their cowboy hats on the panhandle they call home.

Here’s a who’s who of just a few famous Oklahomans and some info about houses available in what was or still is their neck of the woods.

Miss America 1981 – Susan Powell
Susan hails from Elk City, a town of about 10,000 people that is located in Western Oklahoma about 100 miles from Oklahoma City. the town has changed names a couple of times, but Elk City stuck in the early 1900′s, named after Elk Creek that runs through the middle of the town.

Elk City didn’t experience the terrible devaluation of home values that impacted so many other parts of the country. in fact, values have gone up just a little more than 2 percent so far in 2010. For about $523 per month, there is one home currently for sale that exactly meets the average sales price of $122,000. it has 1348 square feet, three bedrooms, and two baths. in all, about 100 homes are currently for sale.

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa finds itself the virtual centerpiece of famous people. they include bank and train robber Jack Blake, new York Senator Patrick Moynihan, Radio Great Paul Harvey, Hee-Haw Star Roy Clark, Golfer Nancy Lopez, Football Player Tony Casillas, Country Music Superstar Garth Brooks, Musicians Elvin Bishop (Fooled around and Fell in Love), Leon Russell, and David Bagsby (composer), Odd Couple Tony Randall, and actors Jeanne Tripplehorn, Anita Bryant (the orange juice lady), and William Boyd.

Tulsa must have pretty good water to put out that kind of talent a virtual boom town, Tulsa currently has over 4,000 homes available with the average list price of about $129,000 and an average sales price of $105,000. we can’t guarantee that you or your family will be the next famous person living on Tulsa time, but a lovely brick 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with a sunroom is now available for just $129,900.

Geronimo
One of the most famous Native Americans in the U.S. hailed from what is now Ft. Sill. the town was at the epicenter of the Indian Wars of the late 1800′s, established to keep hostile tribes from raiding border settlements in Kansas and Texas. While the frontier has all but disappeared, the Fort Sill Apache Tribe exists still and brings about $10 million to the local economy through its casino and other industries.

Housing in nearby Lawton has experienced a down-turn in value, but in the last quarter prices are on the upswing. While the median list price is just at $100,000, there are many homes available up to $200,000 that offer modern floor plans, all brick, stainless steel appliances, and other great amenities.

If the values of real estate in Oklahoma, the famous and smart who were born and raised there, and those who have helped form the history of the United States isn’t enough to entice you to living in Oklahoma, perhaps this will convince you: Brad Pitt was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Breeds Many Famous People

Thomas blew up for 31 points and 12 boards

Deshaun Thomas exploded for a career high 31 pionts and 12 rebounds leading Ohio State past Loyola (MD) 78-59 tonight in Pittsburgh.

the win sets up a Saturday showdown at 2:45pm with #7 seed Gonzaga for a spot in the Sweet 16. 

Jared Sullinger joined Thomas in the dub-dub club with with 12 points and 10 rebounds though he missed nine of his last 11 shots. 

William Buford added 17 shooting 5/11 with three turnovers and was held to just 11 before hiting two threes in the final two minutes as Thad had to reinsert the starters after Loyola cut a 19 point Buckeye lead to 11. 

Aaron Craft did a little of everthing with eight points, five boards, four assists and three steals but he coughed it up five times. that was a theme on the night as Ohio State committed 18 turnovers, 14 by the starters, in a sloppy effort that while good for a 19 point win also featured some sketchy shot selection in the first half. 

Ohio State used runs of 16-4 and 11-2 to take a 37-22 lead with 3:58 left in the first half.

the spurts didn’t feature much in the way of made field goals as the Buckeyes missed 19 of their first 29 shots but the undersized, hackish Greyhounds gave OSU 16 trips to the stripe and they hit all but one.

Loyola sixth man Justin Drummond racked up four fouls in just six minutes of play.

Loyola closed the gap to 42-31 at the break as Ohio State took some bad shots and turned it over twice over the last four minutes.

the Buckeyes owned the glass in the opening 20 minutes (27-16) turned seven Greyhound miscues into a 12-3 edge in points off turnovers.

Matta’s plan to feed Sully and Thomas to take advantage of the size mismatches worked when the team decided to carry it out as the pair combined for 26 points (9/24 FG, 6/7 FT) and 16 boards.

Tourney Buford was on display early hitting just one of five shots though he drained 4/4 from the line while Lenzelle added seven rips. 

Thomas picked up where he left off after the break scoring 11 straight points helping the Buckeyes push the lead to 57-38 with 12:35 left in regulation. 

Ohio State picked up the D as well holding Loyola to 3/11 during the stretch and 35% overall. 

For the game, the Buckeyes shot 45% from the field, 36% from distance (5/14) and an impressive 81% from the stripe (21-26). 

Erik Etherly led the Greyhounds with 19 and seven. 

Keeping it short tonight…Vegas beckons. 

Thomas Leads Buckeyes Past Loyola

To put it bluntly, Vontaze Burfict might be crazy. maybe in a good way, and maybe not. He’s the bringer of pain, the master of big hits, but also the drawer of many, many personal foul penalties which draws red flags both figuratively and literally.

Burfict is the kind of defensive player fans love to watch; he’s intense past rational levels, and he lays the lumber on opposing ball carriers. He’s a thumper, and fans who love using the “hit stick” on the Madden video game love watching Burfict lay his own “hit stick” blows to the opposition.

Though his college stats were solid, his NFL career doesn’t seem likely to follow suit. Burfict ran an extremely disappointing 5.09 40-yard dash and didn’t even participate in the bench press.

Some fans will point to Patriots inside linebacker Brandon Spikes as a comparison for Burfict, suggesting that he may still be an impact player despite his slow 40 time, but many scouts feel he is slow to react and can often be taken out of plays by competent blocking. The temper issues are just the icing on top of the “will he even get drafted?” cake.

There’s no guarantee Burfict will be drafted, but wherever he ends up, it’ll be interesting to see if he can tame his mean streak and channel his anger into productive play, or if he simply channels himself right out of the NFL.

Predicted destination: 23rd pick in the fifth round to the Detroit Lions.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Landing Spots for Draft’s Biggest Stars