Pocahontas Club Picnic

Principal Chief Bill John Baker will be the special guest speaker for the annual Pocahontas Club picnic on Saturday, May 19.

Bill John Baker, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, will be a special guest of the 113-year-old Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club at the club’s annual picnic Saturday, May 19.

Open to the public, the ­picnic will be on the grounds of the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch at Oologah (9501 E. 380 Road), said Ollie Starr, Pocahontas president. Activities will start at 11 a.m. Chief Baker will speak at 11:30.

Chuck Hoskin Sr., Vinita, former tribal councilor, now a state representative and chief of staff for Chief Baker, will be master of ceremonies. Cherokee cultural activities, music, silent and live auctions, and a traditional hog fry make up the program.

Donald Cooper, husband of a Pocahontas member Sue Cooper, will entertain with swing music. Various cultural activities, including Cherokee Basket Weavers Association, will be demonstrating age-old talents.

Persons interested in having a Native American cultural booth can contact Mrs. Starr at (918) 760-7499.

The Shotpouch family will cook the hog meat and fry bread in large kettles over an open fire. Serving will begin about noon. While admission to the event is free, a $10 donation is suggested for those wanting to eat.

Pocahontas Club was formed in 1899 by a group of young Cherokee women as a social group. Will Rogers and his friends were soon crashing their parties and became ­members. The club has been ­recognized for contributions to education and currently provides scholarships for Cherokee ­students.

Participants should bring their own lawn chair.

For more information, contact

Pocahontas Club

(918) 760-7499