Surrey_SeptOct 2012

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COMPLIMENTARY COMPLIMENTARY

Taking You Places Today!

Ballard On Ballard Rogers County educator tops in the state

Fall 2012 Vol. 5 No. 1 • A Claremore Daily Progress Publication

Senior Ops — Page 6

Surrey Taking You Places Today!

Vol. 5 No.1 n FALL 2012

6 Ballard on Ballard — Page 10

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Theater in Rogers County — Page 16

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Senior Ops Adults in Rogers County have a variety of activities and events they can enjoy and participate.

Ballard on Ballard Dr. Keith Ballard, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, is a Rogers County resident and has had a major impact on Oklahoma’s education.

Advanced Imaging Claremore has a new place where patients can receive an MRI. Advanced Imaging has a top of the line facility.

Theater in Rogers County The Bard might be startled to find the amount of theater happening in Rogers County. On the hill, Rogers State University is presenting numerous productions this fall.

Autumn Soup Angela Henderson gives her take on a fall favorite. Creamy tomato soup hits the spot as weather turns colder.

Saluting a Hometown Boy Rogers County’s favorite son, Will Rogers, will be honored during the annual Will Rogers Days in November.

Will Rogers Days — Page 24

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Rogers County roots

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ach morning anyone stopping to grab coffee and a donut at Claremore’ QuikTrip might see a familiar face. It has to pretty early, but there is a good chance you will see Dr. Keith Ballard. Ballard, a Claremore resident, is superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools. Recently, he announced he will be retiring from that last in the coming year.

He was inducted into the Oklahoma Education Hall of Fame and named Tulsan of the Year.

Yet Ballard considers himself a “product of Rogers County.”

In fact, since moving here in 1974 to teach at Oologah, Ballard has continued to make Rogers County his home — no matter where his career has taken him. And in all those decades, his motivation as been simple: to be a difference-maker.

Prior to taking the Tulsa’s top educational post in Ballard was executive director of the Oklahoma RANDY COWLING State School Boards Association. He was able to help train school board members.

Ballard’s roots are in Rogers County. Rebecca Hattaway gives an excellent look into the life of this top educational leader in the state.

More and more adults are entering retirement. With the increase in numbers, more activities can be found in Rogers County just for senior adults. Salesha Wilken provides an overview of the events and offerings for active adults.

If you are interested in live theater, Rogers County has many choices for theater goers. Tom Fink outlines upcoming plays scheduled at Rogers State University.

In November, the annual Will Rogers Days will celebrate our favorite son, Will Rogers. A weekend full of activities, highlighted by the annual parade, reminds us of how much of an impact he was on this community.

As fall approaches, Angela Henderson gives readers a recipe for creamy tomato soup. It is easy and tasty.

Fall is a time to get ready for the changing of the leaves and the cooling of the temperatures. Here’s to enjoying the autumn.

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Surrey Taking you places today!

Surrey©2012 All rights reserved.

Published Bi-monthly by The Daily Progress PUBLISHER Bailey Dabney EDITOR/DESIGNER Randy Cowling CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Hattaway Tom Fink Salesha Wilken ADVERTISING Misti Grannemann Kim McCool Cinda Vaughan Kerrie Stewart Matt Ferrel Sean Bergstrom

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.

Senior Ops Activities keep county’s adults busy

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By SALESHA WILKEN Many days seniors in Claremore meet for a game ome people say to grow old gracefully howbefore lunch. The city’s center offers dominoes, ever many senior citizens are proving that bridge, hand and foot, pinochle, canasta, forty-two, 70, just might be the new 50. Groups snooker, pool, manipulation, tick, high five, buckathroughout Rogers County are working to roo. keep the young at heart active, provide entertainCardo, a type of bingo is offered on the last Friment and possibly even build a few friendships day of the month. along the way.

For those who thrive on competition weekly Communities in the county offer Senior Citizen matches are held. Winners receive a small prize.

Centers that offer more than a hot meal.

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Claremore Seniors Center offers hot meals daily.

Dine in or carryout is always available for seniors ages 50 and older.

The dinner is offered at a reasonable $2.50 for dine in and $3.00 for carryout.

The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has something for everyone.

Claremore is not the only city to offer services to citizens.

Many surrounding communities in Rogers County also have a place for seniors to gather, including Chelsea, Inola and Oologah.

Although hours of operation vary, however the opportunity for friendship and fun remains the same.

In addition to entertainment these groups offer forums for public speakers including political candidates.

Health resources are often available as different companies provide information about local services.

If the senior center is not your scene many local clubs and organization cater to seniors.

The Rogers County Historical Society offers volunteer opportunities for seniors.

Between the Totem Pole, Belvidere Mansion or the Will Rogers Hotel it is likely that a willing volunteer

can find the opportunity to give back to the community.

If history is a passion then the recent development of the Rogers County Museum of History might just be the ticket.

The museum recently opened its first exhibit during Claremore’s homecoming weekend.

Volunteer opportunities for seniors are not limited to local historical sites as many seniors spend time working within are public school systems.

A caring heart is the only requirement for those whom wish to volunteer with the Hillcrest Hospital Claremore Auxiliary.

More than 80 volunteers have been bringing smiles to the faces of patients for more than 40 years.

Volunteers can be found providing assistance in Patient Transportation, hosting the waiting areas for Surgery, Emergency and Outpatient Services, directing visitors at the Information Desk, delivering flowers and mail, providing courier and clerical services and operating the hospital Gift Shop.

The Will Rogers Lions Club and the Claremore Reveille Rotary Club also provide opportunities for community service and fellowship.

The Country Fare Quilters show off aprons they created. The meet monthly at St. Cecilia Catholic Church.

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Senior Ops Variety is the spice of life and multiple area clubs provide plenty of options.

Bible study classes, arts or crafts groups and continuing education classes at Northeast Technology Center can be alternative to volunteer groups.

The Country Fare Quilters Guild is just one example as the group that meets locally.

Open to the public and to all experience levels this group welcomes all who have a desire to enjoy the art of quilting.

The regular monthly meetings are each fourth Thursday January through October at 9:45 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 1304 N. Dorothy in Claremore.

More than 30 different churches call Rogers County home and each offer something unique.

The groups offer fellowship, friendship and other faith based activities.

NTC has specialized classes including Internet for seniors. The short-term classes provide a setting to expand not only ones education but also start a new hobby.

The Roy Clark Music School is an option for the music lover.

The classes range from basketweaving, although not held under water at this time, to dog grooming.

Genealogy research, fishing, hunting, jewelry making and cooking are available at multiple locations within the NTC network.

More information about enrollment options is available at www.netech.edo or by calling (918) 341-8324.

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Staying physically active can be just as important as mental stimulation throughout life and the Claremore Recreation Center has just what the doctor ordered.

Senior citizens not only are permitted to use the walking track for free but receive a discount on membership.

Water aerobics is just one favorite among seniors and classes are offered year around.

If the great outdoors is a more appealing option multiple parks present walking opportunities for seniors.

Claremore Lake offers more than 1.25-miles of multi-use trails.

The trail runs between Claremore Lake and the Claremore Community Center.

The multi-use trails are commonly used for walking, running and cycling.

Rogers State University nature trail is another community favorite offering a woodland view with featuring views of local wildlife.

Exercise is key but motivation might be an issue for some, how-

ever the Rogers County Fit group works with all ages to help build a healthy community.

Membership is free of charge and the 12-week training sessions are perfect for all levels.

Information about the program is available by contacting Renetta Harrison at renettah@health.ok.gov or 918698-7903.

Last but certainly not least, mode of transportation is an issue for some seniors. Public transportation is available in Rogers County through the Pelivan Transit.

Pelivan Transit is operated by Grand Gateway Economic Development Agency through federal grants and matching money from local, county, and state government bodies. Claremore’s routes offer wheelchair-accessible transportation.

The fare normally ranges from $1.75 to $3.00 depending on the route.

Information about the service and hours of operation is available by contacting Pelivan Dispatch at

(918) 341-7300.

Many more options are available throughout Rogers County and seniors can contact local municipalities, chamber of commerce offices or churches for more information.

Seniors not longer have to be limited by age, transportation or income as options exist at all levels. Participation is the key to the fountain of youth.

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Ballard on Ballard Rogers County educator considered pivotal leader in Oklahoma

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By Rebecca Hattaway

ver the course of his 40+ years in education, Dr. Keith Ballard has trained dozens of school boards, been active in the Oklahoma State Legislature, worked with Govs. Brad Henry and Frank Keating, and led the state’s largest school district.

He was inducted into the Oklahoma Education Hall of Fame and named Tulsan of the Year.

Yet Ballard considers himself a “product of Rogers County.”

In fact, since moving here in 1974 to teach at Oologah, he has continued to make Rogers County

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his home — no matter where his career has taken him. And in all those decades, his motivation as been simple: to be a difference-maker.

Ballard says in order to understand his philosophy of life and work, it’s important to go back — way back — to his hometown of Kiowa, Kan. “What has shaped my career really began when I graduated from high school in 1967,” Ballard said.

“I came from a very, very, very small town; there were 31 kids in my graduating class.”

His parents had married at age 17. They welcomed their third child at age 21.

But while we grew up without money, we didn’t grow up poor.

— Dr. Keith Ballard “My father was a janitor at the high school and he wanted to stay in that town,” Ballard said. “We lived from paycheck to paycheck.

But while we grew up without money, we didn’t grow up poor.”

He said his parents understood that the only thing that would break that cycle for their children would be education.

“They insisted we do well in school and go to college,” he said.

His parents’ expectations weren’t a hardship for Ballard who had always enjoyed school — excelling in both academics and athletics.

“I majored in psychology, because that’s what we did in the 60s,” he said. “We were idealists.

We wanted to make a difference.”

Halfway through his junior year, he began considering his job options after graduation.

“I talked with my advisor and he asked, ‘What do you like?’” Ballard remembers. “I told him what I really like is school. We decided I needed to beef up my teaching field.”

He settled on the unusual double major of psychology and speech and graduated from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan. in 1971.

After marrying his wife, Christie, the couple moved to Stillwater 8 xxxx Surrey

where Christie would finish her degree at Oklahoma State University.

“Meanwhile I couldn’t find a teaching job anywhere, so I ended up driving a freight truck for a year in the back alleys of Stillwater,” Ballard said. “But I wasn’t going to give up on my dream of teaching.”

When Christie interviewed for a job with Coweta schools, Ballard convinced them it should be a “package deal.”

“The superintendent told me there was a large number of kids at the junior high level who couldn’t read,” Ballard said. “He told me if I would take nine (college) hours of reading, I could become certified as a FALL 2012 Surrey 11

Reading Specialist. He asked me, ‘Can you do that?’ and I told him, ‘Yes sir, I can do that.’ As we were leaving his office, I remember asking my wife, ‘How do you teach reading to junior high kids?’”

He had to learn fast — there were 45 non readers in his first class.

“I quickly discovered that it would be my personality and my ability to develop relationships if I was going to teach them to read,” he said.

And so Ballard’s career was underway.

ROGERS COUNTY TO OKLAHOMA CITY In 1974, after earning his master’s degree as a Reading Specialist, Ballard was hired to teach in the new reading lab at Oologah Public Schools. Christie was hired as the school’s librarian.

“My wife wanted to get her MLS (Master of Library Science) degree at OU and I thought I’d go back to get my doctorate in reading — but it’s not offered at OU, so I decided to take classes in school administration,” he said.

Three years later, when Ballard was 27 years old, Oologah schools underwent a complete upheaval in its administration.

“When the new superintendent (Lonny Parrish) arrived, I had my administrative certification. He asked me, ‘Are you ready?’” Ballard said. “He offered me the position of assistant principal and transportation director. It wasn’t anything I ever planned for, but I was prepared.”

For the next nine years, Ballard says his job description changed every three years as Parrish put him in charge of many different aspects of school administration — from athletic director to federal programs director to head of buildings and grounds.

When Parrish left, the district didn’t conduct a search for a new superintendent. They named 36-year-old Ballard to the position.

His career was “dramatically changed” on April 26, 1991 when the notorious tornado struck Oologah school, causing more than $10 million in damage.

“In 72 days we rebuilt the school,” he said. “That devastating experience developed the core of my philosophy which is to just do well where you are while you are there.”

Later that year, after successfully bringing the school through the disaster, Ballard began to be contacted by several large school districts.

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“I was a few months away from earning my doctorate and another world opened up. I truly didn’t think I would leave Oologah, but I looked at several opportunities — including the superintendency at Claremore,” he said. “Claremore really stayed after me to talk to them. When I walked into that office, I truly did feel a strong connection.”

He said Frank Robson and members of the school board — Shirley Carle, Jim Stover and Don Crutchfield in particular — were instrumental in his decision to move to Claremore.

“The biggest thing I was thinking then was about my kids, having to uproot them from Oologah,” he said. “But they said ‘let’s go!’ In July 1992, we moved to Claremore where I can honestly say I spent seven and a half magical years.

“I found a very progressive community that embraced education,” he said. “I had based my whole career on developing relationships. I feel like the building program, the character education program we established, and getting the community heavily involved in the school are some of the highlights from that time.”

It was also during his years in Claremore that Ballard became more interested in state education legislation, so in 2000 when the executive director of the Oklahoma State School Board Association stepped down after 25 years, Ballard applied for the job.

“It was a remarkable opportunity for me to step into a very powerful position to influence state policy, he said. “I was sad to leave the superintendency in Claremore, so I decided not to leave Claremore — we were too settled in Rogers County.”

Instead, Ballard commuted back and forth to Oklahoma City, driving approximately 55,000 miles each year.

“I had good relationships with Frank Keating and Brad Henry and became a spokesperson for the schools,” he said. “I learned a lot about lobbying, working with the media, and working with other organizations for the benefit of education.”

After nine years with the OSSBA, Ballard decided he wanted to end his career back in the classroom.

TULSA AND BACK AGAIN “That’s where I started,” he said. “I had planned to come home and go to work at OU as a professor, but when TPS (Tulsa Public Schools) approached me, I took it. I wanted to Continued on Page 18 FALL 2012 Surrey 13

Advance Imaging

Advance Imaging of Claremore’s GE 1.5 T Echo Speed Scanner.

New office provides comfort, top of the line scans

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dvance Imaging of Claremore has opened at 1110 W. Will Rogers Blvd., the former location of Summit Physical Therapy and Rehab, next door to Reasor’s.

“We’ve already got a lot of relationships in town through Advance Imaging of Tulsa,” said Bob Fair, director of Advance Imaging’s three clinics in Tulsa and Claremore. “Our company is entering its sixth year in Tulsa. We have long seen the need for a patient-centered outpatient imaging facility in Claremore. We’re very excited to be here.”

Since there are more MRI patients than the

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hospital can accommodate, a majority of MRI imaging goes out of town. Now that won’t be necessary.

“You, the patient, have a say in where you get care,” Fair said. “You shouldn’t have to drive to Tulsa to get an MRI.” Advance Imaging of Claremore offers same day appointments.

Their new office is spacious and welcoming.

“There is no hassle with finding parking and dealing with admissions,” Fair said. “You can park at the door and we have comfortable leather couches, a coffee bar, and you can be

in and out in 45 minutes.”

Advance Imaging not only offers convenience; quality is top priority.

The new center produces High Field MRIs. The differences between High Field and Low Field are significant, both in scan time and in image quality.

“High Field is much higher resolution which allows us to see smaller injuries, smaller defects,” Fair said. “Scan time on an average study will be under 30 minutes. Scan time on a Low Field or Open MRI is generally closer to an hour.”

Advance Imaging has two primary radiologists: Dr. Jim Webb specializes in Musculoskeletal Imaging and Pain Management and Dr. Steve McCormack is a Neuro-Radiologist, and both doctors are native Oklahomans.

“With their expertise, we have all our bases covered to be able to diagnose anything,” Fair said. “The benefit to working with us is that most of the MRIs a physician would order, we will be able to do from here. If you have that special need — pediatric care, IV sedation, arterial vascular study, joint arthrograms, or an open MRI, due to patient size or claustrophobia — we can accommodate those patients at one of our Tulsa facilities.”

All Advance Imaging facilities are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR), which ensures they

meet strict guidelines, ensuring a high level of image quality and patient safety.

Advance Imaging of Claremore accepts most major insurances.

Their hours are 8 a.m. to 5

p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call (918) 283-4433 or visit www.aiclaremore.com.

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At Rogers State University, the play’s the thing

By TOM FINK In “As You Like It,” William Shakespeare wrote that “all the world’s a state, and the men and women are merely players.”

Little did The Bard know that he could have been writing about Claremore.

That’s right, even Shakespeare knew Claremore would be a happening place.

“RSU is one of the few theatre programs in the nation that place such a premium on performing original plays, especially those by student writers,” said David Blakely, associate professor of communications and director of the RSU Theatre Program. Upcoming RSU Theatre Department productions include: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” written

by Josh Gammon and David Prock.

When: Oct. 25 through 27, 31, and Nov. 1-3 Where: Will Rogers Auditorium The world première of new stage version of the Washington Irving tale. The

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story of a small town haunted by a headless horseman. This thriller brings the old story to life with new twists and turns.

Presented as our HOLLOWeen production, Sleepy Hollow will scare the pants off people who wear them. There will be a special Halloween performance starting at 11 pm. Be there! Be scared!

“American Home,” by Stephanie Alison Walker When: March 7 - 8 Where: Baird Hall Performance Studio “American Home” is a new play about Americans forced to renegotiate the American Dream, the extremes people go to when faced with losing everything and the resilience of the American spirit.

Stephanie’s plays have been seen around the world. Her short plays have been anthologized by Smith & Kraus and produced all over from Johannesburg, South Africa to Mumbai, India to the virtual world of Second Life. She has been the finalist for both the prestigious Princess

Grace Award for Playwriting (2008) and the Heideman Award (2011.)

Her full-length play “American Home” is based on her experience in foreclosurewas the winner of Chicago’s American Blues Theater’s 2011 Blue Ink Award for Playwriting.

“Arsenic and Old Lace” by Joseph Kesselring When: April 11 - 13, 18 - 20 Where: Will Rogers Auditorium “Arsenic and Old Lace” is a dark comedic farce revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic, who must juggle the responsibilities thrust upon him by his job, his fiancé, his crazy aunts, his homicidal uncle, and the Brooklyn Police Department. Brooks Atkinson, of the New York Times, said the play was “so funny that none of us will ever forget it.”

For more information about upcoming productions in the 2012-13 season, call the RSU Theatre box office at (918) 3436882.

Ballard on Ballard go back into the superintendency. I made a five-year commitment and have told the board I plan to retire at the end of this year.”

As the largest school district in the state, Ballard’s position at the helm of TPS has brought with it an array of challenges unique to the urban setting.

“Poverty is the biggest obstacle to effective education,” he said.

“Eighty-seven percent of our students live in poverty. Parent involvement is an issue for us as well.”

Despite his background with suburban schools, Ballard says his philosophies have fit well in Tulsa.

“You have to have a great teacher in every classroom and a great leader in every building. The curriculum needs to be tied together,” he said. “It’s been a very arduous and difficult time, but we have seen some great things happen.”

In 2010, TPS patrons approved a $345 million bond issue with a vote of 70 percent.

A year later, he initiated Project Schoolhouse, a complete restructuring of the district which resulted in the closing of 14 schools and a

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savings of $5 million a year.

He also implemented a teacher evaluation model that has now been adopted by 500 schools across the state.

“We became one of 10 schools in all of America to be part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Teacher Effectiveness Initiative, which aims to reform urban education to insure there is an effective teacher in every classroom,” he said. “They started with 15,000 schools in their database. We

ended up one of just 10 selected. I consider it to be the signature event. It’s helped drive us.”

Ballard said through the challenges and difficult decisions, the driving force has remained the students — over 40,000 of them.

“We have been focused on the greater good — and that is the education of students. Everything has to be done with the child’s interest in mind,” he said. “We’ve involved the community and listened to what they have to say. We’ve formed relationships. We have achieved what we set out to do.

TPS is revitalized and reformed. It was a broken system when we arrived, but we are now healthy internally.”

Part of being a difference-maker, Ballard believes, is learning through adversity.

He cites the deaths of his brother and sister as two such defining moments that made him

stronger — and prepared him for the challenges in his career.

“Adversity has had a real impact on me,” he said. “The awards are nice and it means a lot when people from Claremore tell me they’re proud of what I’ve done. But I have never lived my life to get an award.

You just do what is right; you work for the greater good first.”

Those philosophies that have defined his life and career will remain in play in the next chapter.

Ballard has accepted a position in the Education Leadership Department at OU’s Schusterman Center in Tulsa. He also plans to get involved in community organizations in Claremore once again.

And of course, spend plenty of time with his family.

The Ballards have three children, all of whom were Claremore High School valedictorians.

Matthew is the City Attorney in Claremore; Michael is a high school assistant principal in Tulsa; and Michelle teaches at Westside Elementary. The Ballards have five grandchildren.

“I hope people here know how strongly I feel about Rogers County,” he said. “I am ingrained in this community. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

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A

Autumn Soup

utumn is my absolute favorite time of year. As soon as the morning temperatures dip into the 40s, I become as giddy as a schoolgirl as I scan the sweater possibilities in my closet.

Once encased in a toasty turtleneck sweater, I immediately begin thinking about soup. And not just any soup. None of that canned schlop, thank

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you very much. Campbell's may be good when you're fighting the common cold, but not when you're celebrating the return of cool weather!

The following recipe is the best soup I've ever tasted. It's my favorite and my family's favorite.

My mother and I discovered the soup in the 1980s when we used to eat at a small hole-inthe-wall tea room in Tulsa.

Catherine’s Tea Room was located at the dead-end of a strip shopping center just off of 41st Street between Yale and Sheridan.

Catherine’s was known for its chicken salad sandwiches, quiche, cakes, pies, and other yummy goodies.

The owner knew my Poppy from having worked with him at J&L Pipeline Supply, so Mom and I were always warmly welcomed and treated as honored guests.

When Mom and I would

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eat there, I never failed to order a cup of the Cream of Tomato Soup.

It's so good, I had to resist the urge to lick the inside of the bowl. Often, the promise of dessert was enough to hold my tongue at bay. That and my mother would have been appalled. She was big on good manners.

When the tea room closed in 2003, I nearly had heart failure.

Mom and I made one last visit to our favorite lunching place and after finishing my cup of Cream of Tomato Soup, I mustered up the gumption to ask for the recipe.

Now, Catherine used to publish a little "newsletter" that she placed on each table. Each monthly installment contained homespun quotes, news from the tea room, and a recipe, usually one of the sinfully decadent dessert recipes from the menu, but I'd never seen one for the Cream of Tomato Soup.

After hearing my request, Catherine disappeared into the kitchen and came out with a back copy of the newsletter. She had published the recipe, but I had somehow missed it. My heart beat with excitement as I placed the prized recipe into my purse. I went home that night and made it and I've made it many times over since.

Trust me when I say that the only thing better than the lusciousness of this soup is how easy it is to make. Here's the recipe:

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Creamy Tomato Soup 1 (15 ounce) can of tomato sauce 1 (15 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes 1 cup half-and-half 1/4 cup of sugar 1 teaspoon of basil leaves 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste Mix all ingredients together, heat through (but do not boil) and serve with Club crackers and cheese. I've heard that it's also good with bacon bits and caramelized onions, but I wouldn't know. By the time I get my crackers and cheese into the bowl, I'm ready to dig in.

It’s also fabulous with a grilled cheese sandwich as a dipping device, which is how I’ve chosen to serve it here. Perfection!

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Saluting A Hometown Boy Will Rogers Days are Nov. 1-4 in Claremore and Oologah

W

ill Rogers Days officially begins with “Children’s Day at the Museum” at 10 a.m. on Nov. 1 at the Will Rogers Memorial Mu-

seum.

Will Rogers Days celebrate the birthday of Rogers who was born on Nov. 4, 1879, and commemorates the opening of the memorial museum in Claremore on Nov. 4, 1938, on what would have been Rogers’ 55th birthday. He died in a plane crash on Aug. 15, 1935.

At 10 a.m. on Nov. 2, the annual Will Rogers Birthday Party will begin at his birthplace ranch in Oologah to celebrate Rogers’ 133rd birthday. Kowboy Kal will do some trick roping and whip cracking for visitors and birthday cake will be served. Reser-

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vations are required.

Also on Nov. 2, the museum in Claremore will host the “Night at the Museum” event from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., which is a ticketed event.

The following day, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum Antique and Classic Car Show will be held from noon to 2 p.m. At 4 p.m., the annual Will Rogers Day Parade will begin.

During the 74 years since the memorial museum opened, the Will Rogers Days event has involved people nationwide who come to honor a Cherokee man who became one of the world’s most beloved and famous men.

Rogers took his rope tricks from Rogers County to the Vaudeville stage to the big screen, wrote

rchhool ma High sc ds, cow ing ban ls d cowgir n a s y o b ether to join tog e ate in th particip rs g ill Ro e annual W e that rad Days Pa hrough comes t wn downto re.

Claremo

Weekend Filled With Activities Thursday, November 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore Children’s Day at the Museum (reservations required) Friday, November 2, 10-11:30 a.m.

Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, Oologah Celebration of 133rd Birthday Birthday cake and entertainment by Oologah-Talala school children and champion roper Kowboy Kal

Saturday, November 3, 4 p.m.

Will Rogers Days Parade, Will Rogers Boulevard, Claremore Sunday, November 4, 2 p.m.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum Dedication of Commemorative Plaque, Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, A.F. & A.M

Friday, November 2, 6-8:30 p.m.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore Night at the Museum (ticketed event) Saturday, November 3, noon to 2 p.m.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore Antique and Classic Car show Saturday, November 3, 1 p.m.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club’s Hats Off to Will, wreath-laying, and reception FALL 2012 Surrey 25

Will Roge thousands of syndicated columns, authored books and raised thousands of dollars for charities and drought and flood relief in the United States and abroad. He starred in 21 movies and was in 50 silent films.

A wreath will be placed at the Rogers’ family tomb on the museum grounds at 1 p.m. on Nov. 3. Will and Betty Rogers and three of their children and a daughterin-law are interred in the tomb on land purchased

by Rogers in 1911 as a future home site.

At 2 p.m. on Nov. 4, the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma will dedicate a commemorative plaque at the museum in Claremore.

All events are free and open to the public unless noted. Will Rogers Memorial Museum and the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch are open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days a year. For more information, call 918-341-0719 or toll free at 1-800-324-9455.

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ers Days Halseys to serve as Will Rogers Days parade marshals

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By PAT REEDER Will Rogers Memorial Museums

our days of activities are planned Nov. 1-4, to celebrate the 133rd birthday of Will Rogers, acclaimed Oklahoma’s Favorite Son, a prolific writer, top movie and stage star, trick roper, radio broadcaster, world-traveler and philanthropist.

Jim Halsey, award-winning music and entertainment promoter, and his wife, Manisa Crumbo Halsey, daughter of renowned American Indian artist Woody Crumbo, will be marshals for the 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, parade. It will travel down Will Rogers Boulevard from the Claremore ExpoRecreation parking lot through downtown Claremore. The parade is organized by Claremore’s Reveille Rotary Club.

Events are slated at both the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore and Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch near Oologah, where Will was born Nov. 4, 1879 in then Indian Territory. He died Aug. 15, 1935 in an Alaska plane crash.

“As someone who has had the honor and pleasure of writing about Jim Halsey and his acts for some 30 years, but also co-authoring his two books, I can say unreservedly that he will make a perfect grand marshal for the Will Rogers Days parade this year,” said John Wooley, author and longtime entertainment writer for the Tulsa World.

“During his time on earth Will Rogers brought joy and entertainment to millions of people. He practiced his art on the Broadway stages of New York, the sound stages of Hollywood, and in front of audiences the world over.

Into all these situations, he carried the spirit of Oklahoma that he loved.

Jim and Manisa Crumbo Halsey “Working out of the same state, Jim Halsey created the biggest country-music agency, Tulsa’s Jim Halsey Company. From there, he sent out hundreds of acts to fairs and festivals, clubs and television studios, Las Vegas and Branson, brightening the lives of countless audiences. He was also responsible for one of the best-known goodwill tours of our era. He and his acts, Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys, bravely ventured into the USSR during the height of the Cold War, doing more than their part to help relieve some of the tensions between Russia and America.

“Like Will Rogers,” Wooley went on to say, “Jim Halsey is a beloved Oklahoma entertainment figure. His appearance at the 2012 Will Rogers Days parade will continue a tradition of honoring famous FALL 2012 Surrey 27

entertainment figures who would ‘ve made Will proud.”

“We are honored to be participating in this parade,” the Halseys said.

Will Rogers’ grandson, Kem Rogers, and his daughter, Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry, are expected to come from California for the celebration.

The first two days focus on children, but traditionally draw a large number of adults.

Thursday is Children’s Day at the Museum (reservations required because of space limitations) when several hundred children will swarm the Museum’s hills and grounds from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for old fashioned games, music and a Cherokee storyteller.

Friday is the traditional birthday party at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch from 10-11:30 a.m., complete with cake. Entertainment will be by OologahTalala school children, directed by Kim Grazier, in an original musical production and champion trick roper Kowboy Kal. Friday night is Night at the Museum at the Claremore Museum, a ticketed event.

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Saturday opens with an Antique and Classic Car Show on the Museum grounds.

Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club will pay tribute to Will Rogers on Saturday as they have since the Museum opened Nov. 4, 1938. “Hats Off to Will” begins at 1 pm. in the Will Rogers Memorial Museum Theatre, followed by the club placing a basket of fall foliage in the Museum rotunda and a wreath at the Rogers’ family tomb. It was a tradition of Will Rogers’ mother, Mary, to decorate their ranch home with fall foliage, said Ollie Starr, Pocahontas president. The club and guests will gather for a reception after the ceremonies.

Sunday will finalize the annual celebration, which dates back to Nov. 4, 1938, when the Claremore Museum opened, with dedication of a Commemorative Plaque to be installed on the south wall of the Claremore Museum at 2 p.m. by Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, A.F. & A.M. Will Rogers was a Mason, inducted into the Claremore Lodge, later named Will Rogers Lodge, and was a Shriner. A new Shrine plaque was dedicated last year.