Kickstarter and Crowfunding

           For those of you who may not be familiar with the concept of “crowdfunding” here’s a quick overview:                    

                                                         Down The Road with the Original Buffalo Dale

 Welcome back. This week I could begin with a trip I took to Pawnee, Oklahoma this past week. Pawnee is not only the home of the famous Pawnee Bill but also of the creator of the world renowned Dick Tracy character. American history is alive and well in Pawnee and it is well worth the short 85 minute drive to visit.Or I could begin with a Garth Brooks story from Saturday night’s show or a report on the ORU Men’s Basketball team and my encounter with the legendary basketball coach Eddie Sutton also on Saturday night at the Mabee Center.

With so much going on I’ll start with my book project. I have been traveling with Will Roger’s niece who was Will’s own traveling compansion Doris “Coke” Meyer. Coke has written a fascinating book of her own about her famous uncle, I Called Him Uncle Will, which was recently published and she has been helping me promote my project.

A few weeks ago I started a campaign of my own on kickstarter.com to raise funds for the publication of my book Footprints in the Dew and since then I have discovered that many people are not familiar with kickstarter or the many other so called “crowdfunding” websites which have been established to generate funds for a wide assortment of projects. I think these sites have a lot of potential to help local organizations and entrepreneurs so I thought I would give some information about how they work. My research into the history of this concept came up with a great article on forbes.com under the title “Top Ten Crowdfunding Sites for Fundraising.”

Crowdfunding is collaborative funding whereby groups of people pool funds to bring a given project into existence. These projects can be books, films, performances, new technology and even businesses. The amounts of money raised can range from in the hundreds to in the millions depending on the scope and size of the project and the amount it generates.

On sites like Kickstarter the money that people put towards a project can generate rewards at different levels but the money is not a donation or an investment. On strictly fund raising sites the money can sometimes be considered a donation. All of these sites are accessed only through the internet and money is transferred online.

That said, a few of the top sites are:

Kickstarter.com which focuses on creative projects and reviews each project before it is posted on their website

Indiegogo which promotes every type of project except investments and has a large international presence

Crowdfunder, an investment oriented site which helps establish new companies, some of which have grown out of kickstarter or Indiegogo projects

AngelList, a site which links “angel” investors with tech startups

Crowdrise, the top crowdfunding site for causes and charity.

There are lots of other sites but this should give you an ideas of how varied they can be.

According to the Forbes article in 2012 alone crowdfunding sites raised $2.7 billion for new projects and was expected to reach $5.1 billion in 2013. The success of these sites is dramatically changing many businesses, including publishing.

I’ve found that crowdfunding sites are also an exciting way to learn about all kinds of new and creative ideas even if you do not want to get involved financially. I have backed a few projects myself, including a new manufacturer of bison wool socks and I’ve had a lot of fun watching the projects grow. If you go to my website www.originalbuffalodale.com you can learn more.

 

Till next week I’ll see ya down the road………………………..

 

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Kickstarter Update

I just want to update everyone who has inquired about purchasing a copy of Footprints in the Dew. If you are hoping to read the book please support the project on kickstarter.com, following the link from this website. The success of the kickstarter project will allow me to print the book and make it available to everyone who is interested. Electronic copies will also be available. I need everyone’s help in spreading the word to your contacts- this is a group effort! Thank you so much for your support and interest.

The Original Buffalo Dale

Pawnee Bill and Will Roger’s Great Niece

I just got back from my presentation about Footprints in the Dew in Pawnee, Oklahoma and it was standing room only. My friend Doris “Coke” Meyer, who is Will Roger’s great niece, went with me and we had a wonderful time. Coke has written a fascinating book about her uncle, I Called Him Uncle Will.

                                                                 Down The Road with the Original Buffalo Dale

 Welcome back. As football season is coming quickly to an end and basketball season is going ahead full speed, this week starts there for me. Whether you are attending a local game, either elementary, mid-high, high school or college, watching basketball is a great way to spend a few hours. Sharing the excitement of the game with the other attendees and getting out to support our young players are just a couple of the many benefits these games offer. Chances are you will know at least a few people there, if not more and it is easy to get caught up in the frenzy of an exciting game. There is always good food available, usually prepared by volunteers, you will be surrounded by the friendly atmosphere created by other basketball enthusiasts and the price of admission is small making this is an experience you will want to repeat. So the next time you’re looking for something to do, check out a local game. It is time well spent and your dollars along with your enthusiasm provide important encouragement to the teams.

Moving onward, Saturday night found me in Stillwater where I attended my first Murder Mystery Dinner, hosted by my friend Gerry Stover and the local Eagles Club. As many of you know by now, I’ve been working on a true mystery book of my own for the past eight and I thought this event might be good experience for me.

Dr. Clarence Benes who is the Faculty Chair at Pawnee Nation College was the Director of the event and to say that he and his fellow performers are talented would be a large understatement. On this night Dr. Benes was giving an excellent interpretation of U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn, the character originally created by John Wayne in the Oscar winning film True Grit. On this evening Rooster was out to solve the murder of Marshall Rick Slow and enlisted the help of the audience in identifying the murderer. For ninety minutes everyone who was there was engulfed in laughter as Rooster led us through the clues that eventually solved the crime.

Later while he was posing for photos with the crowd, I learned that Dr. Benes also directs shows portraying the character “Tom Slick, the King of the Wildcatters” and that he has also created a children’s show, “The Trial of Mother Goose.” Benes is a fun and talented guy and rumor has it he may be coming to Bartlesville. When he does it will be my scoop of the week for sure.

Dr. Benes is also the owner of The Buffalo Theatre which is sponsoring a Book Promotion event for me to be held Friday, January 16, 2015 at 5:30 – 7 pm.  Due to construction at the theatre, this event will be held at the Pawnee Nation Community Center just west of the Armstrong Bank on Harrison Street in downtown Pawnee. The following is a press release from Dr. Benes for the event:

“Millionaire Osage County rancher E.C. Mullendore was beaten and shot to death on his ranch in Osage County on September 26th, 1970. This murder is considered by some to be the greatest unsolved murder mystery in Oklahoma state history. Writer and weekly columnist Dale R. Lewis, aka, the Original Buffalo Dale, has finished his eight years of work on this unsolved murder in collaboration with Chub Anderson who was present at the time of the murder. The title of Lewis’ soon-to-be-published book is “Footprints in the Dew: Damon ‘Chub’ Anderson and the Unsolved Mullendore Murder”  Lewis will be showing film footage and over 30 pictures of the crime scenes and other photos not seen by the general public until now. “

For more information, visit the BuffaloTheatrePawnee Facebook page or contact Dr. Benes at DrBenes@pawneenationcollege.org.

I hope that anyone who is interested in my project will take this opportunity to learn more about it and to visit historic Pawnee.

Till next time I’ll see ya down the road……………….

 

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Kickstarter Update for Footprints in the Dew

I know a lot of you out there are wanting to get a first edition of Footprints in the Dew and are ready to help me get the book into print but I have had some questions about just how kickstarter works. This is an all or nothing project. If you make a pledge to the project and I do not make my goal you will not be charged anything. However if the kickstarter campaign is not successful it may be a long time before I can get the book in print. The clock is ticking! Please make a pledge today and spread the word to your friends via email, Facebook, twitter and smoke signal!

Thanks for your support and I’ll see ya down the road……..

Original Buffalo Dale

Come to Pawnee and Hear Me Speak About Footprints in the Dew: Damon “Chub” Anderson and the Unsolved Mullendore Murder

You can learn more about my project at this event! In the meantime check out the kickstarter.com campaign to help me publish the book by following the kickstarter link on the homepage of this website.

 

Book Promotion on Mullendore Murder

 

The Buffalo Theatre is sponsoring a Book Promotion event to be held Friday, January 16, 2015 at 5:30 – 7 pm.  Due to construction at the theatre, this event will be held at the Pawnee Nation Community Center just west of the Armstrong Bank on Harrison Street in downtown Pawnee. Millionaire Osage County rancher E.C. Mullendore III was beaten and shot to death on his ranch in Osage County on September 26th, 1970. This murder is considered by some to be the greatest unsolved murder mystery in Oklahoma state history. Writer and weekly columnist Dale R. Lewis, aka, the Original Buffalo Dale, has finished his eight years of work on this unsolved murder in collaboration with Chub Anderson who was present at the time of the murder. The title of Lewis’ soon-to-be-published book is “Footprints in the Dew: Damon ‘Chub’ Anderson and the Unsolved Mullendore Murder”   Lewis will be showing film footage and over 30 pictures of the crime scenes and other photos not seen by the general public until now.

A campaign has just been launched on kickstarter.com to help underwrite publication of the book. To learn more visit www.originalbuffalodale.com and follow the kickstarter link.

Dr. Benes, owner of the Buffalo Theatre and sponsor of the event, encourages interested parties who have a connection to the events of that time period to attend the book promotion and share their stories. There will be a question and answer portion in the program and time for public comments. For more information, visit the BuffaloTheatrePawnee Facebook page or contact Dr. Benes at DrBenes@pawneenationcollege.org.

Dr. Benes

Faculty Chair Pawnee Nation College

Back to The ’70s

 

                    Looking back in time………………..                                 

Down The Road with the Original Buffalo Dale

 Welcome back. The recent death of my friend George Worten has brought back many memories. He and I both graduated from high school in 1970 and I’ll start this week with a few of the many significant historical events that occurred during that year:

It was big news when four students at Kent State University were killed by the Ohio National Guard during a protest against the Cambodian Campaign.

On the cultural front, The Beatles broke up and the movie Love Story won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

American began to turn when the first Earth Day was held, beginning widespread awareness of environmental issues.

Closer to home, the Kansas City Chiefs shook the sports world when they won Super Bowl IV.

And in Oklahoma tragedy struck when a prominent Osage County rancher was murdered in his own home. Books would be written and many high profile people became involved but the crime was never solved. Now approaching 45 years later,

September 26, 1970 is a date that many Oklahomans will never forget.

1970 was also the year that computer floppy disks were first introduced. To learn more about the murder of E.C. Mullendore III or any of the other events I’ve mentioned visit my website www.originalbuffalodale.com.

Moving forward, now in the aftermath of last year’s Boston bombing, I am planning a return visit to cover the trial of Dzhokhor Tsarnav whose jury selection begins on January 5th. I am expecting to find the city changed by this event and security will be tight to say the least.

You longtime readers may remember that I was there in June 2013 when Whitey Bulger, the leader of the notoriously brutal Winter Hill Gang in Boston, was on trial. Bulger had been apprehended after years as a fugitive and he happened to be arrested in Santa Monica, CA on June 20, 2011 while I was staying there. The time I spent attending his trial was worth every minute. Hanging out with big time news personalities along with the opportunity for a rare interview with Whitey’s brother I hope brought the tragic story to life for my readers.

Of course one can’t go to Boston without making a stop in the town of New York. Yes, with a population of 8,310,212 in five boroughs, town is not the right word for New York City but to me it is America’s biggest town. With so many people living in such a small area, it is amazing how well the city operates. Over the past year I have been lucky enough to visit three times for several weeks at a time and had nothing but great days there. Contrary to many news reports, I didn’t witness any crime or see any bodies in the street. People are friendly, the cops are cool and there is an electrifying sense of energy in the air.

I also have my eye on the January jury selection process in the trial of James Eagen Holmes who was arrested for the mass shooting in an Aurora, Co. movie theater two years ago. Of course there will be lots of press coverage for that trial as well and if you’ve never been to Denver in the winter, it’s a treat so I may be headed that way as well. Lots of miles and lots of stories. Till next time I’ll see ya down the road….

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my kickstarter.com campaign for Footprints in the Dew– follow the link from the homepage of this website!

 

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Oklahoma’s Famous “Glass House” and Will Rogers

       As many of you already know, the kickstarter.com campaign to publish Footprints in the Dew is underway. Be one of the first to read the book in its entirety by following the link from my homepage and pledging your support for the project!.                               

                                                                             Down The Road with the Original Buffalo Dale  

Welcome back. On Monday I attended the official opening of the “Will Rogers Archway”, which is basically a bridge covered in glass which spans Interstate 44.Besides all the suit and tie state representatives, Will Rogers’ oldest living direct relation and Bartlesville resident Doris Coke Meyers was there and as always it was a treat to spend time with her. Coke, as she’s known, spoke to the crowd about the building and how Will would have loved it. Later she told me that when the “Glass House” first opened in 1957 there had been an elegant restaurant in the building with formal table service which was managed by the Interstate Hosts Company. Then later when MacDonald’s took over the restaurant operation it was often referred to as the “Glass House MacDonald’s”. The Archway is the first landmark a traveler sees after crossing the Oklahoma borderand the view really grabs you. With the 14.6 million dollar renovation now completed, MacDonald’s has been joined by a Subway Restaurant and a Kum & Go gas station and convenience store. It’s a great place to eat or stop for a rest and catch the view.

As usual history is always on my mind and during the past week I ran across the biographies of several prominent historical figures whom we should never forget and whom I’m sure some of you will be familiar with. The great Sioux war chief Crazy Horse led his warriors to victory over General George Armstrong Custer in the Battle of Little Bighorn. According to the magazine “Trail Ride”, Crazy Horse was known for painting his body with images of lightning bolts and hailstones and it was said that these images came from a violent supernatural vision he had as a young boy after three days of convulsions. The Chief was eventually killed by soldiers while imprisoned at Fort Robinson, Nebraska.

Next up is Davy Crockett who was born on August 17, 1786 in a crude log cabin in eastern Tennessee. At the age of twelve Crockett’s improvised mother sold him into a life of indentured servitude but by the age of sixteen he managed to buy his freedom  and reunite with his family. An accomplished marksman, Crockett earned a living as a hunter and tracker and by nineteen he was married with two children. In 1821 he was elected to the State Legislature in Tennesse where he served four terms. Then, embittered by the relocation of native Indian tribes, he moved to Texas. Crockett fell in love with the territory and died at the Alamo fighting for statehood on March 6, 1836. He was said to be a leader of the common people and his motto was “Always be sureyou are right, then go ahead.”

Moving forward, in the 1850s every Pony Express rider had to take the following oath “I do hear by swear, before the great and living God, that during my employment as a Pony Express rider I will under no circumstances use profane language, use intoxicating liquor, abuse my mount, quarrel or fight with any other riders and so that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties and so direct my acts to win the confidence of everyone… So help me God.”

This next story comes directly from the settling of the American west. “No Sunday west of St. Louis and no God west of Fort Smith” is a phrase you may not have had heard but all that changed in 1875 when Judge Isaac Parker took over from a corrupt Judge in Fort Smith and was responsible for enforcing the law in Indian territory which is now called Oklahoma. During his twenty-one years on the bench he sentenced one hundred and sixty-five people to death and sixty-five of his federal Marshalls were killed in the line of duty. Jim White is another man who whose name I hope never gets lost in history. In 1901 when he was sixteen, White was a young cowboy working on a ranch in New Mexico when he noticed millions of bats flying out of a hole in the ground. White spent years exploring the underground cavern he discovered as a result, documenting large caves, waterfalls and huge cliffs. Finally in 1936 Congress designated the site as a national park and today it is known as Carlsbad Cavern National Park.

I’ll end this year with the story of Edward Heddy who was born in 1925 and became known for his sense of justice and morality. Homeless by the age of 8, Heddy hopped a freight train to Chicago where he became a master carpenter. During World War II he served as a Seebee and then after the war he turned to acting. His portrayal of trail boss Gil Favor leading twenty men and three hundred cattle turned him into a big star. Heddy became known as Eric Fleming and was one of the leading characters on thhe TV show Raw Hide. While shooting a film in Peru he tragically drowned, prematurely ending a promising career. Next week one of Oklahoma’s biggest historical events comes to life. Till then a Happy New Year to all and I’ll see ya down the road….