Save the Date for “The Event” of the Year
The Event on September 19 and 20 will celebrate 75 years of Oklahoma’s favorite son and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
By: Carol Beck-Round | Category: In Our Communities | Issue: September 2013
Preparing for \"The Event\" are (L to R): Steve Turnbo, Will Rogers Memorial Commissioner; Linda Bradshaw, The Event Chair; and Phil Albert, Vice President, Will Rogers Memorial Foundation Board.
Mark your calendar for September 19 and 20. You don’t want to miss “The Event” of the year with two exciting evenings to celebrate Will Rogers, Oklahoma’s favorite son, and the 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
The celebration, a fundraiser, will kick off in Claremore with the Will Rogers Memorial Foundation hosting an evening event to highlight Will and the Museum as well as the presentation of “The Award,” honoring the early pioneers and founders of the Memorial Museum in a video presentation.
“There are so many people who deserve recognition for their efforts in establishing and keeping the Memorial going for 75 years,” says Linda Bradshaw, a Will Rogers Memorial Roper (docent) and event chairperson. “Our goal is to build support locally, regionally and nationally to enhance Museum programming and provide capital improvements.”
Although the Memorial is state funded, “the building is aging and we, as citizens, have to do our part in raising funds to preserve the building and keep Will’s legacy alive.” This is the first major fundraiser for the Will Rogers Memorial Foundation.
“We must work together to make sure future generations are introduced to Will Rogers. He was a man of his times, a beloved man all over the world, and he brought a conversation of decency to the table.”
Former Oklahoma Governors George Nigh and Frank Keating are honorary co-chairs and will be part of Friday evening’s activities along with entertainment provided by Wild West entertainer Kowboy Kal Cook of Apache, and World Champion Roper Doug Smith of Medway, Ohio, as well as Will Rogers Museum’s Andy Hogan, a Will Rogers interpreter and Museum historical guide. The Tulsa Playboys and the First Lady of country fiddle, Jana Jae, will provide musical entertainment. Judge Robert Henry, president of Oklahoma City University, will be keynote speaker. Henry, a Will Rogers scholar, is also known for quoting Will in his public appearances.
A silent auction at “The Event” will include the following items: a trip for two to California, Will Rogers State Historic Park and after-hours tour with Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry (greatgranddaughter of Will Rogers); lunch for eight with Will Rogers’ great-niece Doris “Coke” Meyer at Belvidere Mansion; 2014 Will Rogers & Wiley Post Fly-In take off and landing in vintage aircraft; Mike Wimmer print, framed and autographed: “Will on Top of the World”; and more.
To secure tickets or become an event sponsor, go to www.willrogers.com and click on “The Event,” or call (918) 341-0719 or (800) 324-9455. Tickets start at $125. Presenting sponsor is the Cherokee Nation.
The celebration will continue on Friday night at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa with country music artists Shooter Jennings, son of Waylon Jennings, and Jessi Colter, wife of Waylon Jennings. The Red Dirt Rangers, an Oklahoma band popular across the Midwest for the past 25 years, will join them. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the concert beginning at 8. Advance tickets are $20 and $22 the day of the concert. The cost is $24 at the door. Purchases can be made at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main, Tulsa or their website: www.cainsballroom.com.
The concert is made possible through The David J. Chernicky Trust with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the Foundation.
For more information, contact
The Event
(918) 341-0719
About Author Carol Beck-Round
After 30 years in public school education, Carol Round retired and moved from Grand Lake to Claremore, Oklahoma in 2005, where she writes a weekly faith-based column which runs in 14 Oklahoma newspapers as well as several national and international publications. Three volumes of her columns have been compiled into collections: A Matter of Faith, Faith Matters and by FAITH alone. She has also written Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God and a companion workbook, The 40-Day Challenge. This past year she has written three children’s books, a series called Nana’s 3 Jars, to teach children about the value of giving, saving and spending money. All of Carol’s books are available through Amazon. In addition to writing her weekly column, authoring books and speaking to women’s groups, she writes for Value News. She also blogs regularly at www.carolaround.com. When she is not writing or speaking, she loves spending time with her three grandchildren, working in her flowerbeds, shooting photos, volunteering at her church or going on mission trips overseas, and hiking. She is also an avid reader and loves working crosswords and trying to solve Sudoku puzzles.
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