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.