Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Teeter honored for 35 years of service

For nearly 35 years John Teeter has been gathering weather information for the Shreveport, La. office of the National Weather Service.

But, all good things must come to and end, and so it is with Teeter's reign as Prescott's weatherman. A retirement reception is being held in his honor Thursday, July 26, from 10 a.m. until noon in the fellowship hall at the First United Methodist Church.

Teeter has been a staple and fixture in the area his entire life, as he graduated from Prescott High School, earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Arkansas, but returned home.

He and his brother, Bill, owned and operated the Teeter Brother's clothing store for 22 years. He also spent 15 years as a traveling salesman and managed the Chamber of Commerce for six years.

Teeter was active in local politics, serving as secretary to the Nevada County Democratic Party a number of years, but never seeking office himself.

During his time as the local weatherman, Teeter was honored with the Holms Award, the highest the NWS can bestow.

The Holms Award was named for John Campanius Holms, a Lutheran minister who was the first known person to make systematic weather observations in the American colonies, though he had no equipment. Holms took his readings in 1644-45, with his son later publishing them.

A maximum of 25 weather observers nationwide can earn one of these awards per year, with their being nearly 12,000 volunteer observers across the country.

The Holms Award is based strictly on merit, not length of service.

Teeter earned his in 1997, with it being presented at the Kiwanis Club meeting on Nov. 6.

He began working with weather in 1959, when he assisted R.P. Hamby, then Prescott's weatherman. Teeter worked with Hamby until Oct. 1, 1966, when he assumed the duties himself.

Weather observers, according to Marion Kuykendall, manager of the observer's program with the NWS, do so on a volunteer basis and receive no compensation for their work.

Teeter did it, Kuykendall said, because of his interest in weather and sense of duty to the community.

One of the things Teeter did for the area weather-wise, was help organize the county's weather spotter network.

Davis Benton, area meteorologist, said Teeter has always been the first to venture out in times of severe weather to look for severe storms and possible tornadoes.

Kuykendall said the data Teeter has provided over the years has helped the NWS establish climactic and hydrological boundaries for the region.

Teeter's equipment consisted of a digital thermometer, capable of recording the daily high and low temperature, a standard rain gauge, a Fisher and Porter rain gauge and a universal rain gauge, along with backup equipment  just in case.

When there was a problem with the equipment, Kuykendall said, Teeter didn't hesitate to call the NWS to get it repaired.

According to Kuykendall, Teeter kept his weather equipment nice and clean, as well as in top working order.

As the local weatherman, Teeter would daily gather the weather information and call it in to a touch-tone computer at Shreveport.

There, the data is examined and used for television weather reports.

Along with his work in the area of weather, Teeter has been the local historian, overseeing the Depot Museum.

Currently, he is involved in the restoration of the museum.

Additionally, Teeter has been a devout member of the Prescott Kiwanis Club, having near perfect attendance for 31 years.