Surrey Taking You Places Today!
The
Taylor Impact Impact The Stratton Taylor Story
Tall and Strong Daddy’s Girls Like Father, Like Son
Community ommunity Servant TheMighty Quinn Late Late Spring Spring 2011 2011 Vol. Vol. 33 No. No. 44 •• AA Claremore Claremore Daily Daily Progress Progress Publication Publication
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Surrey Taking You Places Today!
Vol. 3 No.4 LATE SPRING
Tall and Strong — Page 6
6 11
Tall and Strong Monuments in and around Rogers County salute and honor leaders and soldiers.
The Taylor Impact Stratton Taylor’s life has transformed since he was a young man bagging groceries to becoming a pivotal leader on behalf of Rogers County.
FATHER’S DAY
14 The Taylor Impact — Page 11
18 22 24 28 5
Daddy’s Girls Steve Hahn has double the joy on Father’s Day from his twin daughters.
Like Father, Like Son Everyone wants their child to follow in their footsteps. Justin Barkley is filling the shoes of his father, ledgendary coach Clyde Barkley.
Community Servant Serving a community through a facility has made Bailey Education Foundation in Owasso a true servant of area non-profits organizations.
The Mighty Quinn Ruby Quinn, a lover of theater, has breathed life into the programs surrounding the Robson Performing Arts Center.
The Pink House The1902 circa Victorian home has become a Claremore landmark for unique dining.
Editor’s Note It’s late spring and time to celebrate our fathers.
Father’s Day Features — Page 14-18
Late Spring 2011 Surrey 3
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Of monuments, leaders and fathers It’s late Spring, when the weather seems to fluctuate and feel like Summer, then return to Spring. We have been teased with the cooler temperatures and then blasted with a taste of what is to come this summer. It is a time of transition where flowers emerge and the lawn begins to need more regular attention. Let us enjoy these short burst of Spring and hope there is no skipping straight to the Summer heat. With this issue of Surrey readers will find stories about landmarks across Rogers County. Zack Stoycoff brings an insightful look at Stratton Taylor, a local attorney who served the Rogers County area for many years as a state representative and senator. This up close and personal account reveals a man who has a heart for education and the quality of life in Rogers County. As Father’s Day approaches, Tim Ritter has two perspectives on fathers and their children — “Daddy’s RANDY COWLING Girls” and “Like Father, Like Son” give readers a fresh account of Steve Hahn and his twin daughters Emily and Abby, and coaching father and son Clyde and Justin Barkley. To all those Rogers County fathers, we hope you have a Happy Father’s Day. Tom Fink has prepared a profile of Ruby Quinn, the executive director of the Robson Performing Arts Center in Claremore. Fink shows why Quinn decided to come to Claremore and how her leadership has influenced the arts. Readers will discover in Rebecca Hattaway’s piece about The Pink House, which is a Claremore landmark, that the food and atmosphere is unique and refreshing. Hattaway’s story will prompt your taste buds to water. There is a facility in Owasso that in four short years had become the hub of community service. The Bailey Education Foundation serves the area by providing meeting space for more than 30 non-profit organizations to hold fundraising events. The Foundation, though not a part of Bailey Medical Center, is located just northwest of the hospital. It has become a community servant benefiting the region in more ways that one can count. Across the Rogers State University campus visitors can find numerous statues honoring presidential leaders and fallen soldiers. View our photo essay of these remarkable monuments that are Tall and Strong. Surrey continues to take you to places you have never been.
Surrey Taking you places today! Surrey©2011 All rights reserved. Published Bi-monthly by The Daily Progress PUBLISHER Bailey Dabney EDITOR/DESIGNER Randy Cowling CONTRIBUTORS Tim Ritter Zack Stoycoff Rebecca Hattaway Tom Fink Joy Hampton ADVERTISING Misti Grannemann Kim McCool Duffy Hoagland Melissa Ring Annette Riherd Cinda Vaughan
SEND COMMENTS TO: The SURREY @ The Daily Progress 315 W. Will Rogers Boulevard Claremore, OK 74017 P.O. Box 248 Claremore, OK 74018 E-mail — rcowling@claremoreprogress.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION: (918) 341-1101 addir@claremoreprogress.com All copy and advertising in the Surrey are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced. Some photos used by permission of source. Late Spring 2011 Surrey 5
Tall and Strong Monuments give tribute and honor A statue of a lone cadet from the Oklahoma Military Academy looks down over Claremore from the Rogers State University campus.
6 Late Spring 2011 Surrey
Saluting leaders, and fallen soldiers ABOVE: George Washington points to where he wants his troops to go, depicted in a statue on the Rogers State University campus in Claremore. RIGHT: Beneath a large statue of Abraham Lincoln sits this cross as a memorial to all the unknown soldiers.
PHOTOGRAPHS PHOTOGRAPHS BY BY RANDY RANDY COWLING COWLING
Late Spring 2011 Surrey 7
ABOVE: Cherubs, doves and eagles lift a cap behind an enormous statute of Abraham Lincoln. RIGHT: Two cherubs, one holding the light of freedom and a dove can be found on the same statue on the Rogers State University campus in Claremore. NEXT PAGE: Thomas Jefferson stands peering down to the entrance of RSU.
8 Late Spring 2011 Surrey
Late Spring 2011 Surrey 9
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The Taylor Impact By ZACK STOYCOFF
F
ormer state Sen. Stratton Taylor was bagging groceries in Claremore before he helped bag the Tulsa area’s only public four-year university. He was hitchhiking from school before he hiked funding for roads and raises for teachers. The Claremore Democrat who began his 28-year political career as a 22-year-old grocery clerkturned-state representative in 1978 did more for education and roads in this corner of the state than any legislator before him, his legislative colleagues have said. Late Spring 2011 Surrey 11
STRATTON TAYLOR
At one point during his tenure as Senate president pro tempore, Oklahoma’s education funding ranked near the middle of the pack nationwide, up from its typical place among the bottom five. A graduate of a tiny now-defunct high school north of Chelsea, Taylor’s advocacy for education grew from his time at Claremore Junior College and continues in his retirement as he teaches a class at Rogers State University. “For this state to ever reach its potential, we’ve got to have an educated populace,” he said. “I’m kind of old school but I don’t think that Oklahoma will ever go broke educating its citizens.” He said Oklahoma’s education system was underfunded at every level when he began championing increased education spending in the Senate. Aside from a “brief, shining period” as the legislature passed raises for teacher pay and school funding, education always has been underfunded, he said. In the 1970s, “like a lot of other students in the area, I had no state-funded four-year school to go to,” 12 Late Spring 2011 Surrey
he said. Northeastern State University, then Northeastern Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma State University were Claremore students’ nearest options at the time. Taylor said he wasn’t ready for the larger universities, so he worked at Humpty Dumpty grocery store to pay tuition at Claremore Junior College and eventually accumulated thousands in student loans at the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma City University. As a state legislator, he vowed to make college easier for other northeastern Oklahoma students. A driving force behind Claremore Junior College’s transformation into RSU, he authored legislation in 1999 allowing the school to seek four-year accreditation. That was one more than a dozen approved bills Taylor wrote to support RSU, which he now calls “the school.” RSU returned the favor by naming its library after him in 2003. He retired from the Senate in 2006. Rags to Riches Taylor said he wasn’t smart enough at 22, still a
checkout clerk at the grocery store, to know kids barely out of their teens aren’t supposed to run for public office — much less win an election. And when they’re the first in the family born to a home with electricity and running water, which he was, forget about it. Right? “The grocery store is the great equalizer,” he said, noting that he knew voters of all ages and status simply because they all needed groceries. “Claremore was a much smaller town back then.” Taylor was a hometown-boymakes-good story, intriguing the city but making him the brunt of jokes for those who asked if he would fund his campaign by selling soda bottle caps. “That’s what I’ve always liked about Oklahomans. They’re willing to give a hardworking young person a chance,” he said. Soon, the newest state representative was parking at the capital with a beat up van donated by family. He doubled his time by pursuing a law degree at the University of Tulsa, but could only afford to drive to the turnpike gate. He hitched a ride with truckers the rest of the way. On days truckers didn’t work, he hitchhiked along the Turner Turnpike. “There’s nothing more humbling than to be a member of the House of Representatives with your thumb stuck out on the highway as someone you know drives by,” he said. ‘The Road-Building Senator’ A newspaper article in the Pryor Daily Times once gave Taylor that CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 Late Spring 2011 Surrey 13
FATHERS’ DAY
Daddy’s Girls Greatest gifts come in pairs, says Hahn By TIM RITTER
T
he greatest gift they ever had came from God ... Emily and Abby Hahn call him Dad! Steve Hahn has been blessed with so many things in his life, but watching twins Emily and Abby excel in the classroom and on the soccer field is an experience he’ll cherish for the rest of his life. On Nov. 18, 1992, the Hahn twins were welcomed into the world eight minutes apart.
14 Late Spring 2011 Surrey
“Abby first and then Emily,” according to Steve. “We always said that Emily was born feet first and hit the ground running. She hasn’t stopped yet.” In a family of six children, Steve has learned to not show favoritism. “Each one of the kids is very special and very gifted,” Steve said. “And, most of all, they are as different as night and day.” But the one thing that is gratifying to this proud father is the fact that none of his kids has ever been in trouble with the law and to this day, lovingly serves the Lord. “When you have a big family, it can be fun and sometimes stressful,” Steve said. “But, it’s the memories that you cherish along the way that makes being a dad an honor.” With three boys and a daughter — Grace (the oldest girl) — always wanted a sister. She would close her eyes and pray at night for God to bring her a little sister. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Musician’s Workshop
Late Spring 2011 Surrey 15
ABBY AND AND EMILY EMILY HAHN HAHN ABBY
Hahn twins excel at soccer, make dad proud Little did she know that God works in mysterious ways and answers our prayers when we least expect it. “We like to kid Grace that she prayed too hard,” Steve said. “God blessed Grace with two sisters in-
16 Late Spring 2011 Surrey
stead of one.” Inseparable, yet always competitive. The Hahn twins feed off each other’s intensity. Throughout the past four years of attending Verdigris High School, these two beautiful young ladies have left a legacy that will be hard
to touch. • Emily and Abby Hahn graduated with honors and became the first set of twins to deliver Valedictory speeches. • Emily and Abby Hahn also won three consecutive Class 4A
state championships in girls soccer, finishing with a 58-9 career record. • Emily and Abby Hahn are the first two Lady Cardinals to sign NCAA Division I (Emily - Tulsa) and NAIA Division I (Abby - Oklahoma Baptist University) soccer scholarships. “As a dad, I can’t be any more proud of Emily and Abby’s accomplishments,” Steve said. “The experiences and trips that we’ve gotten to have with their soccer careers far outweigh anything else imaginable.” What sets these twins apart, according to Steve, they’re drive and determination to be the best, as well as holding each other accountable. “Kathy and I from day one have raised our kids in church and taught them that Christian principles were most important,” Steve said. “This year, we’ve been truly blessed to have a set of freshmen parents tell us how rewarding it was for their kids to get the opportunity to play on the same team as Emily and Abby.” The Hahn twins believe in putting others first. “They wouldn’t have it any other way,” Steve said. “You couldn’t ask for better leaders and role models than Emily and Abby.” It’s often said that a children’s upbringing says a lot about their growth and maturity. Emily and Abby both agree that their father, Steve, is the No. 1 Dad in America. “Dad’s the best because he works so hard for all of his kids and he’s one of the funniest dad’s ever,” Emily said. “If we (the kids) didn’t think that, he’d try to make us
think it.” Abby added that her father has taught her and Emily to work hard and reach high for their dreams. “He’s also taught us the importance of being kind-hearted and caring for others,” Emily said. The miles that have been put on
the Hahn van going from sporting events to music concerts only tell the small story to the man that Steve is around his family. “Daddy’s our No. 1 fan and biggest supporter,” Emily said. More than anything, Steve is the ‘heartbeat’ of the Hahn household.
Late Spring 2011 Surrey 17
FATHERS’ DAY
Clyde and Justin Barkley
Like Father, Like Son By TIM RITTER
A
ny man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad. For 30 years, Inola native Clyde Barkley has been a father, coach and mentor to his oldest child and only son, Justin Barkley. He bought Justin a nerf basketball and goal and had the newborn working on his shot while lying awake in his crib back in Inola.
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By the time Justin could pick up a real basketball, Clyde taught him how to shoot a left-handed layup and scribbled the x’s and o’s of playing tough man-to-man defense on a napkin at the kitchen table. Whatever lesson was to be learned in the game of basketball, Justin was all ears, never complaining and always paying attention. To Justin, his father knew best ... whether it was about basketball or raising a Christian son. “Wherever I went, Justin tagged along,” Clyde said. “He’s seen every style of basketball you can imagine.” And, according to Clyde, has won a championship at every level of his playing career. Clyde coached Justin in AAU and high school basketball, before giving way to Larry Gipson at Northeastern State University. Justin said his junior high team went 101-0, but his personal success always took a back seat to what the team achieved. “With Justin, it’s never been about individual honors,” Clyde said. “He’s always been about TEAM.” In 1997, Justin won an AAU national championship during the summer of his junior year at Inola High School. In 1998, Justin was a member of Inola’s only basketball state championship, which was coached by his father, Clyde. In 2003, Justin helped lead Northeastern State University to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship.
“He’s been truly blessed and pretty fortunate,” Clyde said. Clyde, who has been coaching in Inola for 30 years, always coached his son to do the right thing. “From a father’s standpoint, Justin’s basketball career has been awesome to watch,” Clyde said. “He exemplifies the saying that
‘what you put into, you get out of it.’” On the court in practice or during a game inside the Jerry O’Quin gymnasium, Clyde never questioned Justin’s decision-making. “It was like there was another coach on the floor,” Clyde said. “He was one of those players that
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
Late Spring 2011 Surrey 19
FROM PAGE 13 title, or at least brought it back. Taylor said two of his best accomplishments were expanding Highway 20 near Pryor and a road serving the nearby Mid-America Industrial Park. But that’s just a sliver of his work. He also points to widening Highway 169 between Oologah and Talala and Highway 66 between Bushyhead and Chelsea, adding a Port of Catoosa exit from Interstate 44 to Highway 266 — a collaboration with then-Claremore Rep. Dwayne Steidley — and planting the seeds for widening Highway 88 between Inola and Tiawah, an ongoing project. For an area that depends on government funds, it was important that the hometown senator was chairman of the senate appropriations committee, he said. It’s a powerful position. So powerful, in fact, that media named him one of the 10 most powerful Oklahomans. He said he’s also especially proud of bringing the Washington Center internship program to RSU and securing funds for the Claremore Veterans Center during the financially strained 1980s. He courted a Japanese bank to fund the center by telling them American World War II veterans wouldn’t object to their involvement because they felt the Japanese owed it to them. In the oil bust of the 80s, American banks were in bad shape, Taylor said. The veterans center brought 250 jobs to Claremore in 1988 and offered a home for 300 elderly and disabled veterans. Focusing on law, education Taylor retired in 2006 and dedicated his time to law, focusing on the firm he founded. Partners at the firm include current Sen. Sean Burrage. He has taught since 2007 at RSU’s President’s Leadership Class, a four-year scholarship program to develop students’ leadership abilities. He said his best advice for them, and anyone: Get an education, pursue internships and find other ways to get practical experience. And most of all, be innovative.
The Stratton Taylor LIbrary on the Rogers State University campus.
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Taylor Timeline 1978: Elected to state House of Representatives 1982: Elected to state Senate 1989: Named chairman of Senate Appropriations Committee 1994: Won Rogers County’s largest-ever plaintiff’s verdict, $10 million 1995 – 2003: State Senate President Pro Tempore (head of senate) 2006: Retired from state Senate
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Community Servant
Bailey Education Foundation A great place to meet and have fun By RANDY COWLING
N
estled on the northern edge of Owasso is a facility that serves the area community. The Bailey Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has been providing meeting space for about 40 different groups and had more than 25,000 people utilized its facility. It is a perfect example of a community servant.
22 Late Spring 2011 Surrey
Marna Salts, the foundation’s executive director since the facility opened in 2007, said the organization’s mission is “to serve the citizens of Owasso and surrounding communities through community education and family oriented activities.” And it has by working with 37 different non-profit groups in 2010. Bailey Education Foundation has provided a place for
them to hold their regular meetings. “There were 25,956 people that used our facility in 2010,” Salts said. “We have over over 4,800 sq feet of space – Auditorium is 3,100 sq ft and seats 200+ in banquet; Cravens 1 is 320 sq feet and seats 14-18 in hollow square; Cravens 2 is 430 sq ft and seats 24 in hollow square;
and a Board Room that is 350 sq ft.” A misconception many have is that Bailey Education Foundtion is directly linked to the Bailey Medical Center, which is connected by a walkway to the east. It is governed by its own board that does include Layne Subera, DO; Rudy Wolf, DO and CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
Late Spring 2011 Surrey 23
The
Mighty Quinn Theater veteran loves life at the Robson PAC
RUBY QUINN
By TOM FINK
I
n “As You Like It,” William Shakespeare wrote “All the world’s a stage.” For Ruby Quinn, it’s all part of the job. Since the Robson Performing Arts Center first opened its doors in 2006, Quinn has served as executive director of the PAC, overseeing countless amateur and professional-level concerts and performances.
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“We’re very fortunate in that the PAC isn’t just a theater but also part of the (Claremore) school system, so during the school year, there are classes here for theater students, choir students, band students, during the day,� said Quinn. “Our main objective (with the schools) is to make sure the teachers have the support they need from day to day and with respect to the theater itself, we make sure the shows coming here have everything they need, from scheduling rehearsals and performances, to making sure the tech people involved have enough time to ensure their equipment is running okay. We stay busy, but it’s a good kind of busy.� Even as she approaches five years with the PAC, Quinn still counts herself lucky to be the executive director of such a performing arts center. “There are days I still pinch myself,� she said. “Even now, I’m in awe when I walk into to center — I used to tell people, ‘If someone would just build a theater and give me the key, I’d be a happy woman’ and that’s just what happened!� Quinn has always had the theater in her blood. From the first time she saw her first play at five years old, Quinn knew she wanted to be involved in the theater. “I remember being fascinated the play, but not just because of the story,� she recalled. “I was fascinated by the lighting and the costumes. The art itself, it really struck me in a way like nothing else had before.� Quinn grew up in Tulsa, attending the former Rogers State College (Rogers State University) as a theater major before attending and graduating from South-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
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Late Spring 2011 Surrey 25
FROM PAGE 19 made everybody around him better.” Clyde added that being a coach’s son is one of the hardest things to do in life. “The magnifying glass was always on him wherever he went,” Clyde said. But, for Justin, he could do nothing wrong in the eyes of his father. “He was the perfect son,” Clyde said. “Being his father is pretty special.” Justin agreed that his relation-
ship with Clyde is what makes coaching easy. “Everything I’ve learned to this point in my career has come from my dad,” Justin said. As the first-year head men’s basketball coach at Rogers State University, Justin took the same winning philosophy that his father, Clyde, uses at Inola and molded the Hillcats into a Final Four team. “Work hard at what you do, do what’s right and the wins will come,” Justin said on his father’s basketball philosophy. “Dad gets
great pleasure seeing people grow up. He’s not in it for the wins or losses.” In a lot of ways, Justin is the spitting image of his father. Success, through the game of basketball, in the Barkley family is very passionate. “There’s no way in the world I could fill my dad’s footsteps,” Justin said. The greatest victory in Clyde’s coaching career was the day Justin came into the world. “The Lord blessed me and I couldn’t be more proud to call him my son,” Clyde said.
Clyde and Justin Barkley 26 Late Spring 2011 Surrey
FROM PAGE 23 Jon Orjala, MD from Bailey Medical Center. In recent months the foundation is shifting its business model to partner with community organizations who are provided space. Eight different non-profit organizations held their major fundraising events at Bailey Education Foundation. The groups were able to raise $170,000 for their causes, while at the same time minimally paying for use of the facility. The foundation has become a major community partner. Owasso Public Schools held its Advance Placement testing during the first two weeks of May. The AP testing has been held at the foundation since 2007. The school celebrates its top teachers with more than 250 attending. Political dignitaries have spoke at meetings. Recently, Gov. Mary Fallin addressed more than 260 business leaders during the Owasso Chamber of Commerce’s annual luncheon meeting. Victim’s Impact Panel meets here monthly – it is a powerful program aimed at combating drunk driving. This program offers a unique perspective to the drinking driver, presenting in a very personal way, the far-reaching effects of the choice to drink and drive. Through panel presentations, the audience experiences the impact of drunk driving through the eyes of a victim It is a court ordered seminar for first offense alcohol/drug related. Bailey Education Foundation offers a variety of video and audio assistance, including a large screen for PowerPoint presentations. New technology has allowed the
foundation to also provide live streaming via the Internet of surgery taking place in Bailey Medical Center into the foundation’s auditorium for doctors to view specialized techniques. The foundation has also hosted numerous weddings and reunion meetings, providing a host of decorating options. Those non-profit groups utilizing
the facility include: Aaron Gillming Foundation, City of Owasso, Collinsville Public Schools, Community Footprints, Cub Scouts Round Table, Destiny Life, Discovery Church, State Fire Marshal Association,First Assembly, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, Freedom Church, FriendCONTINUED ON PAGE 31
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The Pink House:
A Tasty Claremore Tradition
By REBECCA HATTAWAY
S
ince opening in 1982, The Pink House — a Victorian home built circa 1902 — has become a Claremore landmark for a unique dining experience. When Margo Stewart purchased the restaurant in 2007, it provided her the opportunity to combine her passions of tea and good customer service while continuing The Pink House tradition. “What makes it special is the antique-ness of the place and of course the good food,” she said. “Everything is homemade.” The regular lunch menu offers both light and hearty fare including hot specialty casseroles, quiches and sandwiches on thick slices of bread, fresh salads, soups and made from scratch desserts, including their popular baked fudge. Lunch is served Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the end of March, The Pink House began offering dinner each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5-9 p.m. “We felt like we had a unique menu and we wanted to expand it to offer more choices, including some ‘heavier’ options, especially beef,” Stewart said. “We offer specials beyond our standard menu everyday for both lunch and dinner.” The Pink House carries more than 60 varieties of tea. Afternoon tea is served by reservation. Guests can choose
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from tea and scones served with clotted cream and strawberry preserves, all the way to high tea with multiple courses and food choices including savories, mini quiches, cookies and tiny cakes. “My heart’s desire was to share tea with other people. That was what really got me started on having a tea room,” Stewart said. “We live in such a hectic world. I wanted a place where people could sit and enjoy and not feel rushed and go away renewed and refreshed.” The Pink House is well known for its catering services, available for as few as 10 or as many as 400 people. From small, intimate celebrations to lavish parties, the catering staff can provide a large variety of hors d’oeuvres, a buffet, or a sit down lunch or dinner, with several menu options to choose from. They can also host onsite events for groups up to 120 people, including bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, receptions or family gatherings. They offer tea parties for little girls through adult. The Pink House is located at 210 W. 4th St. in Claremore. For more information, call (918) 342-2544 or visit www.pinkhouseofclaremore.com.
Margo Stewart bought The Pink House in 2007. Along with lunch and afternoon tea, they have started serving dinner each Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Baked fudge, above, is a popular dessert. Everything at The Pink House is homemade. The Victorian home, below, was built in 1902.
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Quinn brings children’s theater to Claremore CONTINUED ON PAGE 25 eastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla. From SOSU, Quinn graduated with a B.A. in Speech & Theater Education. “After college, I taught 6th through 8th grade in Dennison, Texas, after which, I got my Master of Fine Arts Degree — also in theater — from Texas Tech University,” she said. “From there, I taught at the junior college level in Wilburton (at Eastern Oklahoma State College), where I was pretty much a ‘one woman show’.” As a “one woman show,” Quinn was responsible for mounting, publicizing, and helping in all aspects of shows, working closely with local teachers. “That (experience) really taught me a lot, there was some major on the job training going on there,” she said, “but it was a great learning experience for me, and it was also there where I got aquatinted with and started working closely with a regional theater company called the Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival.” It was here that Quinn heard of the then-planned and yet-unnamed new theater coming to Claremore. “A friend of mine told me about the performing arts center being built in Claremore and that they would be needing someone to run it,” she said. “I was wanting to be closer to my family, so I thought it would be a dream come true for me and that I’d be a great fit for the job.” Quinn wasn’t the only person who thought so either. “I met with Frank Robson, and he told me what he was wanting (from
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the performing arts center and those who would manage it). He and the PAC board of trustees got to know me, and we all thought I would be the right person for the job,” she said. “Having been a school teacher myself on all age levels, I had a deep respect for what teachers do and how much support they need. “I also understood what it took to take on professional-level productions and what it took to bring in things — performers, actors, concerts — to help the community and encourage its artistic growth,” she said. Quinn said Robson also wanted to bring children’s theater to Claremore in the PAC, which Quinn has done in the summer, as well as bringing in a few old friends. “When the PAC opened in 2006, we celebrated its grand opening with ‘Beauty and the Beast’, performed by my friends from the Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival — it was great to be working with them again and what a grand way to open the performing arts center that was,” she said. As for other acts Quinn has attracted to Claremore, they’re as diverse as they are entertaining, from bluegrass to classical symphonies, from jazz to Broadway musicals and more. “Initially, we really had to go out and solicit people to come perform here,” she said, “but now that word about what a fine theater we’ve got (in Claremore) is getting out, they’re calling us — that’s where you want to be.” Helping spread the word about Claremore’s theater, Quinn attends
conferences in New York City annually, rubbing elbows with different production companies about the virtues and benefits of bringing their acts to Claremore. “We have to plan (the theater season) several months or even a year in advance — we’re already looking at the fall of 2011 and the spring of 2011 right now,” she said. “I can say that we’re very close to finalizing an agreement for a musical called ‘A Ride With Bob’, referring to Bob Willis and the Texas Playboys, featuring the band Asleep at the Wheel — we’re very excited about that, and there are some other acts we’re looking at that I’m hoping to get.” If she could bring one show to Claremore, Quinn said she would hope to bring “Cats” — a favorite of hers and Robson’s. “Mr. Robson has always referred to ‘Cats’ — that’s one he’d like to see here, and one we’d like to mount as well,” she said. “We’re hoping that one day, we can make that happen.” Even after multiple shows, countless concerts and innumerable classes, Quinn says she still looks forward to coming to work every day. “The whole experience of working here is never lost on me — I never take for granted what a great gift it is to our community,” she said. “Being able to work with those in the community and to be involved in the education process — that’s where my heart is — I count myself lucky, and that is never, ever lost on me.”
FROM PAGE 27 ship Baptist, Garden Club of Owasso, Heart Link Network, Home Representative Club, Collinsville Sr. Tea, Independent Church Group, Life Church, Live School World Mission, Northeast Transition Team, Oolagah Public Schools, OK Osteopathic Family, Owasso Chamber, Owasso Community Resources, Owasso Community Theatre, Owasso Farmers Market, Owasso Homebuilders, Owasso Public Schools, Owasso Soccer Club, Owasso Extreme Futball, Rejoice Church, Rejoice Christian School, Owasso Rotary Club, St. Henry’s Church, Victim’s Impact Group and Ward Haven Animal Rescue. For more information about Bailey Education Foundation go to its website at www.baileyeducationfoundation.com or visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/baileyfoundation.
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statue of of Will Will Rogers Rogers and and his his horse horse can can be be found found in in downtown downtown Oologah. Oologah. AA statue
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