A new opportunity to share...

Visitors come from all over the world to Will Rogers Memorial Museum. They come by the big yellow bus loaded with school kids, tour bus, car, motorcycle and sometimes by foot, to learn about Will Rogers.

Spend a few hours a month with an opportunity to meet these visitors and at the same time share the life, wisdom and humor of Will Rogers.

A new class of Ropers (docent volunteers) will begin training Thursday, Sept. 6. Classes will meet each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Dec. 6 except for Will Rogers Days (Nov. 1-4) and Thanksgiving (Nov. 22) when sessions will be on Tuesday, Oct. 30, and Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Facilitating the classes will be Elmer Symsack, Sherry Whisler and Karen Tripp. Symsack and Whisler were in the first class of volunteers in 2008.

Ropers welcome visitors, introduce them to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, answer questions about exhibits and Will Rogers — and point out other places of interest for touring and experiencing museums.

The training sessions provide volunteers with information and resources to be an informed Roper. Continued training and updates allow Ropers to remain current on new exhibits and events at the Museums.

There are opportunities to serve as a guide, greeter and interpreter and/or work in areas of collections, horticulture and special events.

Since the Roper program started, almost 12,000 hours have been donated, more than 4,000 in 2011.

Ropers come from all walks of life — truck driver, doctor, dentist, lawyer, judge, pilot, businessmen and women, homemakers, teachers, writers, all share a love of Will Rogers lore. While most are retired, some still work and schedule volunteer days with their employers or take weekend duty.

Many live in Claremore, but others come from Pryor, Tulsa, Sperry, Owasso, Oologah, Inola, Collinsville, Adair, Foyil, Haskell and Chelsea.

Ropers have had an increasingly important role with the increase in attendance and special activities at both muesums and budget restrictions, said Steve Gragert, Will Rogers Memorial Museums executive director.

Ropers are required to join Friends of Will Rogers support group at least at the minimum level, volunteer at least two five-hour shifts per month, read and research the life and legacy of Will Rogers and the museums’ collections and undergo a background check.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Memorial Museum or Birthplace Ranch, an application is available on the Museum website. Applications are also available in the office and at the admissions desk or by calling the office, 918-341-0719.

Volunteer hours pass 11,000 mark

Will Rogers Memorial Museum volunteers were honored during National Volunteer Week for the countless hours donated to the Museum during 2012. Volunteers honored and the number hours included (front from left on bench, Claremore residents unless otherwise listed) Hoytanna Benigar, 135; Carlene Webber, 147; Martha Swartz, Owasso, 261; and Kay Miller, 95; and (back from left) Connie Jesina, 61; Eileen Husting, 84; Sherry Whisler, 108; Bob Seay, Owasso, 82; Tom Lingenfelter, Owasso, 119; Intern Lycrecia Atkins, 196; Linda Bradshaw, Tulsa, 148; Dean Braddy, Chelsea, 98; Martin Howard, 181; Joyce Prebble, 160; Charles Schwabe, Haskell, 86 (his wife, Renee’, worked with him); Ken McSlarrow, Collinsville, 113; Cathy Porterfield, 80; Andrea Volturo, 33; Robert Ragland; and Mary Lee Spinks, 100. (Will Rogers Memorial Museums Photo) Will Rogers Memorial Museum volunteers were honored during National Volunteer Week for the countless hours donated to the Museum during 2012. Volunteers honored and the number hours included (front from left on bench, Claremore residents unless otherwise listed) Hoytanna Benigar, 135; Carlene Webber, 147; Martha Swartz, Owasso, 261; and Kay Miller, 95; and (back from left) Connie Jesina, 61; Eileen Husting, 84; Sherry Whisler, 108; Bob Seay, Owasso, 82; Tom Lingenfelter, Owasso, 119; Intern Lycrecia Atkins, 196; Linda Bradshaw, Tulsa, 148; Dean Braddy, Chelsea, 98; Martin Howard, 181; Joyce Prebble, 160; Charles Schwabe, Haskell, 86 (his wife, Renee’, worked with him); Ken McSlarrow, Collinsville, 113; Cathy Porterfield, 80; Andrea Volturo, 33; Robert Ragland; and Mary Lee Spinks, 100. (Will Rogers Memorial Museums Photo)

Since 2008 when 20 Will Rogers Memorial Museum Ropers volunteered 1,196 hours, the number of  volunteers has grown to 50 and the number of hours reached 4,148 for the year ending December 2011.
It has been four years since the late Susan Rollins trained that original group of Ropers. In that time, 11,712 volunteer hours have been logged. “Each one donates precious volunteer hours to create memorable, rewarding experiences for our visitors,” said Steve Gragert, Museum executive director, in honoring them during National Volunteer Week.
Volunteer hours were spent in training , greeting and guiding visitors, assisting in collections, researching grant opportunities and helping with special events.
Two Ropers earned “World Class Roper” recognition for 2011 (Claremore residents unless otherwise listed); Elmer Symsack with 357 hours and Martha Swartz, Owasso, with 261 hours. Symsack and Sherry Whisler, assisted by Jan Wilson and Karen Tripp, instructed the 2011 class of volunteer trainees.
Superior Ropers (100-199 hours) for 2011 are L.D. Allison, 132; Hoytanna Benigar, 135; Linda Bradshaw, Tulsa, 148; Martin Howard, 181;Tom Lingenfelter, Owasso, 119; Jean McCreery, 193; Ken McSlarrow, Collinsville, 113; Jan Wilson, 129; Joyce Prebble, 160; Joyce Rutter, Afton, 106; Bob Sperry, Foyil, 110; Mary Lee Spinks, 100; Karen Tripp, 144; Carlene Webber, 147; and Sherry Whisler, 108.
Super Ropers with 60-99 hours for the year are Joe Bacon, Pryor, 61; Dean Braddy, Chelsea, 98; Beverly and Bill Dieker, Pryor, 69 and 60 respectively; Judy Eagleton, 74; Anne Gentner, 66; Eileen Husting, 84; Connie Jesina, 61; Gene Lloyd, Oologah, 71; Dalton Lancaster, 89; Kay Miller, 95; Cathie Porterfield, 80; Charles and Renee Schwabe, Haskell, 86; Bob Seay, Owasso, 82; Sherri Stephens, Inola, 86; Neil Thielen, 64; Cynda Thomas, 60; and Karen Zink, Owasso, 60.

Back by popular demand, summer performances July 8, 15, 22, & 29 and August 5

Make Claremore a summer outing destination.

Letters from the Heart: Betty and Will Rogers, a one-woman, multi-media show written and performed by acclaimed New York actress Laurette Willis, is returning to Will Rogers Memorial Museum Theatre.

Back by popular demand, summer performances are scheduled on Friday evenings July 8, 15, 22 and 29 and Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.

Claremore is an exceptional destination for a day out or weekend of museum visits, dinner and theatre — or a pleasant drive for the theatre.

Tickets are $10 and are available in the Museum store or by calling 918-343-8115 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Click here to see video promo.

War veterans and active duty military personnel will be honored July 8 and be given free admission with a paid ticket. As part of a Blue Star Museums program, they will also be given a 10 percent discount in the Museum store anytime between May 23 and Labor Day. Veterans and active duty military are asked to identify themselves when they reserve a ticket so they can be properly recognized.

Would you like to meet people from all over the world?

Volunteer Classes Begin September 1

Spend few hours a month with an opportunity to meet people from all over the world and at the same time share the life, wisdom and humor of Will Rogers.

A new class of Ropers (docent volunteers) will begin training Thursday, Sept 1. Classes will meet from 10 am. to 3 p.m. each Thursday through Dec. 1 — except for the weeks of Will Rogers Days (Nov. 3-5) and Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) when they will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 22.

Ropers welcome visitors, introduce them to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, point out places of interest, answer questions about exhibits and Will Rogers and give directions for touring and experiencing the museums.

The 14 training sessions provide volunteers with information and resources to be a Roper. Continued training and updates allow Ropers to remain current on new exhibits and events at the Museums.

There are opportunities to serve as a guide, greeter and interpreter and/or work in areas of collections, horticulture and special events.

Since the Roper program started in 2008, four classes have graduated and volunteered almost 5,000 hours, according to Steve Gragert, Will Rogers Memorial Museums executive director.

Ropers have had an increasingly important role with the record attendance at both museums. With still a month left on the fiscal year, attendance at the Claremore Museum is at 136,527, a nine-year record. More than half the visitors are from outside Oklahoma.

While most of the Ropers are from Claremore, there are several from Pryor, Tulsa, Sperry, Owasso, Oologah, Collinsville, Adair, Pryor and Foyil.

Ropers are required to join Friends of Will Rogers support group at least at the minimum level, volunteer at least two five-hour shifts per month, read and research the life and legacy of Will Rogers and the museums' collections and undergo a background check.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Memorial Museum or Birthplace Ranch, an application form is available on the Museum website www.willrogers.com or in the Claremore Museum store. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interested persons can also email name, address, daytime phone (and fax if available) and email address to Gragert at skgragert@willrogers.com or call him at 918-343-8118.

Did you know?

    Will Rogers was radio’s pioneer commentator, but he was also the Number One male box office star of the 1930s.

    When soundtracks were added to motion pictures in 1929, Will Rogers found a new media and a heightening fame. He was a leading star behind only 5-year-old Shirley Temple, but he was still the top moneymaker for 20th Century Fox.

    Will Rogers’ first talking contract was signed with Fox on June 1, 1929, guaranteeing him $600,000 for four movies.

    Then came a 1.2 million dollar deal for six movies the following year.

    During a six-year period, Will Rogers starred in 21 sound-on-film movies that earned more than one million dollars each … That’s one million in Depression-era dollars.

    Will Rogers did not memorize scripts. Instead, he would study the plot, and understand the storyline, and then he would simply talk. Or, ad-lib, if you choose. And, he did this with very few rehearsals.

    John Ford was selected by 20th Century Fox to direct a classic story of the South in the 1890s, “Judge Priest.” Released in 1934, it starred Will Rogers in the title role.

    Years later, John Ford, who directed 145 movies during a seven-decade career, told an interviewer that “Judge Priest” was his favorite movie of all time.

    The 80-minute comedy-drama was written by Irving Cobb. Will Rogers played the role of the wise but wily judge so convincingly that President Franklin Roosevelt wrote to Will Rogers, saying: “I suppose the next thing you’ll be doing is making an application for an appointment to the federal bench. And I might just take you up on that.”

WILL ROGERS DAYS 2010

November 4-6, Will Rogers Days, celebrating the 131st birthday of Oklahoma’s favorite son with a birthday party at the Oologah ranch, Pocahontas Indian Women’s Club tribute at Claremore Memorial Museum, Children’s Day at the Museum and Saturday parade down Will Rogers Blvd.

(For information, call 918-341-0719, Julie Luna, events coordinator, or e-mail jluna@willrogers.com.)

All events are free.

Wednesday, 3 November
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
“Stars of Oklahoma,” Main Theatre, Will Rogers Memorial Museum
• A film montage of motion picture personalities with Oklahoma connections

Thursday, 4 November
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Will Rogers Birthday Party, Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch
• Kim Grazier & Oologah-Talala Elementary School Presentation
• Will Rogers Birthday Cake
• Kowboy Kal performs

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pocahontas Indian Women’s Club Tribute, Will Rogers Memorial Museum
• “Hats off to Will” Celebration
• Fashion Show
• Wreath-laying and Tea

Friday, 5 November
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Children’s Day at the Museum, Will Rogers Memorial Museum
• Main Theatre- Oologah-Talala Elementary School performs Will Rogers Play
• Heritage Gallery, Cherokee Story Teller
• Andy Hogan Rope Demonstrations, SE Patio of Building & Tomb area near entrance
• Sunken Garden, Gene Lloyd singing Oklahoma songs with a partner
• Games and snacks; SW grassy area for teaching and monitoring traditional Oklahoma games

Saturday, 6 November
10:00a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Antique & Classic Car Show, Will Rogers Memorial Museum

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Public Reception for Glorea Robb Morgan and Cleora Robb Galt, Will Rogers Memorial Museum. The Robb sisters appeared with Will Rogers in the Fox film Mr. Skitch in 1933.

4:00 p.m.

Will Rogers Day Parade

Crowds gather for Fly-In, Memorial tribute

By PAT REEDER


Will Rogers Memorial Museums

Will Rogers and Wiley Post Post died 75 years ago in an Alaskan plane crash, both in their prime of life, Wiley laid claim to fame as an aviator. Will was an actor, writer, philosopher and philanthropist. Both were dedicated to flying and promotion of aviation.
 
For the first time since the deaths, four simultaneous tributes were made to the two men — at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore: at the Will Rogers Ranch in Will Rogers Historic Park in Pacific Palisades, Calif.; at Wiley Post’s graveside in Oklahoma City Memorial Park Cemetery; and in Barrow, Alaska, where their bodies were taken when they were removed from the crash.
 
Will Rogers was flown home to California, where he lived with his family at the time of his death. Post’s body was flown to Oklahoma City for burial. Services for Will Rogers were held in California and he was buried in the famous Forest Lawn Cemetery. After the Will Rogers Memorial Museum opened in 1938, Betty Rogers planned a tomb on the grounds and Will’s body was moved here.
 
The afternoon tributes followed the annual Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In on the grass strip at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch and a Champagne Brunch and Dog Iron Polo Cup at the California Ranch. More than 60 pilots and more than 1,000 spectators were at the Oologah ranch for a morning of flying, looking at planes, and enjoying food, fun and fellowship, Cherokee storytelling, children’s amusements and a classic and antique car show.
 
Dave Denton, who has been coming from Siloam Springs, Ark., the last nine years in his Call Air, was picked by spectators as the “People’s Choice” plane and pilot. He said there are only nine All Air’s still flying.
 
Ross Adkins, assisted by Tony Isler, introduced pilots as they arrived.
 
Ed Fogel, a United Airlines pilot and resident of Rogers County, participated in the Fly-In, then flew over the Will Rogers Memorial before family members placed a wreath at the tomb in the sunken garden. Kem Rogers, grandson of Will Rogers, was joined by Doris Lane “Coke” Meyer, a great-niece, and Nancy Smith, a great-great-niece.
 
Presenting the colors was an Honor Guard from Boy Scout Troop 88, Claremore First United Methodist Church, and vocalist Mary West from Oologah,
 
Sen. Sean Burrage read a proclamation from Gov. Brad Henry, proclaiming Sunday, Aug. 15, “Will Rogers Remembrance Day.” Jim Hartz Will Rogers Memorial Commission Chairman recreated the eulogy delivered by Rev. J. Whitcomb Brougher Sr. at the California funeral service at Wee Kirk o’ the Heather.
 
Museum Director Steve Gregart recognized military aviation veterans and active duty personnel at the tribute.
 
Mikela Connella, bugler with the award-winning Oologah-Talala Mustang Band, played “Taps”.
 
Bryan Brewer flew a 1941 Stearman over the Post monument to open the Oklahoma City ceremony, coordinated by Don Dennis, Wiley Post Commission. Also on the program was Bob Burke, author of a Wiley Post biography; Dr. Bob Blackburn, Oklahoma Historical Society executive director; and retired aviator Wil Moore and state Supreme Court Justice Marian P. Opala, friends and former classmates of Wiley’s brother, Gordon.
 
The California tribute was coordinated by members of the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation, working closely with Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry, granddaughter of Will Rogers. She is the daughter of. Kem Rogers, who serves on the Oklahoma Will Rogers Memorial Commission.
 
In Alaska, the tribute came at the end of the annual Claire Okpeaha Memorial Run from the crash site into Barrow. It was Okpeaha who witnessed the crash and brought the word the 15 miles to Barrow.