Yearly Archives: 2016

One of my favorite topics, the dedication of the many volunteers who make our community great.

Welcome back. Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes, rain delayed by two hours. Oklahoma State vs. Baylor delayed by lightening while the game was in progress. The OK Mozart concert at Clyde Lake moved indoors, the Cow Thieves and Outlaws Reunion moved into the museum, Prairie Song’s big Wild West Show cancelled and all because of rain. No one I know complains about rain here in Oklahoma but there is one group that never calls time out or fails to how up in rain or any other bad weather and that’s the American volunteer spirit.

Ten years from now or maybe even five, few people may remember the effort of people like Larry Thrash, Nolan Jones, Janet Vermillion and dozens of others who worked tirelessly for moths to put together a top notch western show only to have mother nature step in forcing a cancelation. At Woolaroc, after many hours of planning for a big party in the one of a kind setting of Clyde Lake, the committee was forced to make the decision to move into the museum. Showers on the night of the OK Mozart concert caused their concert to relocate to the Community Center but in every case dedicated volunteers jumped in to insure that ticket holders were notified and whenever possible I’m happy to say the events went off without a hitch. In the dictionary a volunteer is defined as a person who provides services for no financial gain that benefit another person, group or organization and we have certainly seen this in action lately. With all that said, next time you’re at a not for profit event make sure and thank the staff, most of whom are volunteers.

On another note, as I drove out to Woolaroc on Saturday night, I noticed a very unusual structure being built next to highway 123 just a few miles outside of town. When I asked around during the party I learned that this building is part of the set for a new movie that’s getting ready to shoot out there. It’s all kind of hush hush right now but it’s a great time of year for a ride through Woolaroc anyway so you can check it out for yourself. While I was exploring inside the museum on Saturday night I was reminded that you see something new there every time you visit and what a true treasure the place is. Don’t forget that membership is a bargain and gets you in free for a full year not only at Woolaroc but at many other museums around the country.

I also attended Tom Mix Days in Dewey during the day on Saturday and with no rain in sight at the time, the crowd was in for a treat. Dewey of course is home to the Tom Mix Museum, the Dewey Hotel and a variety of other historical building many of which have recently been restored. If you’re looking for good shopping or good food, a drive down the main drag on Don Tyler will show you that Dewey has a lot to brag about.

I’ll end this week where I started, with a recognition of a few of the community leaders who gave so much of their time to bring us wonderful events, some of which are still going strong today: Virgil Gaede, the Fly-in, Bill Creel and Tom Sears, the Centennial Celebration and Ernie McAnaw, Sunfest, Dee and Annette Ketchum, Indian Summer Festival and the list goes on…Today there are many young people who are carrying on this type of commitment making not only our town but all of America such a great place to live.

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

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My buffalo mobile is finally back on the road Days.and I am hanging out with my friends at Dewey’s Western Heritage Days. The weather is beautiful so come enjoy the fun!

An interesting story from the OU Campus…

Welcome back. For some reason I always enjoy returning to the scene of a massive event the day after. Mostly I like to check out what a relatively small area looks like after thousands of people have invaded. I was still in Norman early Sunday morning after a hundred thousand folks (counting staff and people unable to get tickets) gathered on campus to watch the Oklahoma Sooners play the Ohio State Buckeyes and the scene was what you might expect. Hundreds of trash cans were full and overflowing as crews were just getting started when I got on campus. The huge rain storm that passed through had blown trash into the storm drains, causing more work for the clean-up effort. Tents had blown down everywhere and the trees were full of wind-blown debris as well. On Campus Corner where I spent most of my time during the storm and where hundreds of people took refuge from the rain, the scene was the same. In its own way, everything looked beautiful to me and somewhat artistic. Fortunately no one was hurt during the event and all the businesses reported record setting sales. I can also tell you that everything was completely cleaned up by the end of the day Sunday.

I am also happy to report that all the Ohio State fans I talked to were very impressed by the friendliness of the people in Oklahoma. It was a great weekend for the state and for me as well. As always, during my visit I was on the lookout for an interesting historical story and found a good one.

On the OU campus, sitting right across from the main entrance to the Gaylord Family Stadium sits McCasland Field House. Named for T. Howard McCasland, who was both a basketball and a football star, the field house was originally built in 1928 for basketball and it had seating for 5,000 people.  Today it is the home of the OU wrestling team, the women’s volleyball team and both men’s and women’s gymnastics.  Over the past 15years the facility has undergone a major renovation including upgrades to all the building systems, installation of new windows and an expansion. Walking by you immediately notice the distinctive architecture of the building and sitting on a bench outside you get a sense of all the great events that have taken place there. In addition to sports the building was also a concert venue in the 1960s and ‘70s and Jimi Hendrix brought his Band of Gypsies to play here as did Frank Sinatra and Elvis. You may be wondering of all the places on campus, how did I find this one? Here’s the scoop:

At every home game, an OU organization called the “Varsity O” holds a tailgate party for all former OU lettered athletes. This means any former student, male or female, who played sports at OU can attend and attend they did. The party was held in the field house and it was full. For a sports guy like me this was wonderful and the conversations among the guests recalling past accomplishments should be on film. I met many interesting people, and found out that OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione is in charge of the event. After an entertaining couple of hours, the group invited me to return any time and I might just take them up on it. The McCasland Field House is well worth the stop if you’re ever on the OU campus.

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

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Joe and I are at Balfour’s today from 2-4!

Welcome back. This week I’m down the road in Norman for the huge Oklahoma Sooner football game against the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes and I’ve found the words “crimson proud” to be a theme everywhere.

One place in particular is a store called Balfour where Joe Washington and I will be signing books on Friday. Yes, it’s spelled right and if you’re looking for OU stuff this is your place. Wearables for sure, right down to your underwear. Jewelry for both men and women and spirit merchandise of all kinds. I’ve been getting to know the owner Jerry Hatter and I learned that he and his wife Libby have been selling Sooner merchandise for thirty years. Balfour is located right on what they call Campus Corner and Jerry says that come Friday the place will be packed as the surrounding streets will be open only for foot traffic.

Campus Corner was established in the early 1900s to serve the needs of students and faculty at the University and quickly became the center of all activities at OU, from dancing to dining and today the area continues to play a central role in campus life.

Several dozen other businesses are located around Balfour including restaurants, bars, clothing stores and boutiques and right on the corner sits a building that caught my eye the first time I drove by last week. It is a small two story building with a Santa Fe look and on the lower level is a bar and grill called Louie’s which I understand is partly owned by OU head football coach Bob Stoops. Joe and I will be there on Sunday afternoon after the game for another book signing and in-between Friday’s appearance at Balfour, the game itself and then Sunday afternoon, I’ll catch up with Coach Barry Switzer who will be at the same locations. With the game completely sold out it should be quite a four day gig.

Another of my favorite events is coming up so besides football I’ve got the old west on my mind and I was recently reminded of the 10 point Code of West which really applies to all of us.

1. Live each day with courage
2. Take pride in your work
3. Always finish what you start
4. Do what has to be done
5. Be tough, but fair
6. When you make a promise, keep it
7. Ride for the brand
8. Talk less and say more
9. Remember that some things aren’t for sale
10. Know where to draw the line

Where I’m going with all this is that Dewey is having their big Western Heritage Days on September 24th-25^th. And friends if you want to be a cowboy for a few days here’s your chance. With longhorn cattle, horses, gunfighters, dance hall girls and plenty of vendors Dewey will be full just like back in the old rodeo days including a big parade through downtown with a special division for kids age 5-11. Supporting the community, the annual Miles for Mammograms Boot Scoot 5K and fun run fundraiser will also take place on Saturday with the finish line right by the old Dewey Hotel.

And don’t forget the big Wild West Show out at my friends Ken and Marilyn Tate’s Prairie Song Village. This year the featured performer is Amanda Payne Sellers from the One Armed Bandit & Company. I’ve seen this act before and it is amazing. You don’t want to miss this so for all the info check out their Facebook page.

Till next time from what they advertise as the home of your best game day experience, the historic Campus Corner, I’ll see ya down the road….

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Some news from the local front…

Welcome back. Hotel rooms near capacity with license plates from around the country in their parking lots, restaurants busy, many with waiting lines. The sidewalks and side streets also busy as folks visited with one another. No, I wasn’t at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado nor was I at the big PBR bull riding competition at the Windstar World Casino & Resort down on the Oklahoma Texas state line. At home for part of the Labor Day weekend, the scene I am describing was right here in Bartlesville, Oklahoma during the College High all class reunion. I can tell you after talking with the organizers beforehand that they planned for fun to be on the menu and from what I could see they succeeded. The weekend included car shows, live bands and good food bringing together old friends and their stories of bygone days could be heard on every street corner. With all the bad news about local revenue I can’t help but think there had to be a major impact on the city’s sales tax.

While I was in town, on Sunday I checked out the area lakes and I found both campgrounds at Copan were full. Hulah Lake also had a good crowd of campers as did Osage Hills State Park. If you haven’t been to these spots lately they are always fun for a day trip and with plenty of spots for picnics, fishing and swimming and the great fall weather why not.

I also had business in Norman this past week setting up a couple of book signings on campus corner one of which is tentatively scheduled for next weekend. This is the same weekend when Ohio State is coming to OU for a football game that I understand has been sold out for 2 years. If you are not familiar with campus corner, this is a section of the business district in Norman that sits right across the street from the main campus and it is full of restaurants, bars, clothing stores and anything else that might appeal to a college kid. Around the corner is the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium which is the home of the Oklahoma Sooners football team. On game days there is only foot traffic in this area as they close the streets near the stadium to cars.

Although there is a lot of heavy construction going on around the stadium, the main roads are open and everyone is ready for the season opener this Saturday when the ULM Warhawks come to town. The history of OU’s football powerhouse will await me the following weekend when I invade along with Ohio State. This will be my first game in Norman in 30 years and I hope to bring you some inside scoop from on the field.

This coming Friday I plan to check out some of the 100 mile garage sales which takes place on September 9^th and 10^th. Saturday and Sunday I’m scheduled to be at the Metcalf Gun Show on the Tulsa Fairgrounds. Somehow in between all this I plan a visit to Fairfax, Oklahoma which is the home of retired lawman George Wyman. A decorated World War II veteran before he became a sheriff, his story of honor and bravery is one I’m putting together and you won’t want to miss it.

For those of you who may not already know, Woolaroc’s big fundraiser is right around the corner and this is an event you don’t want to miss. Started by Frank Phillips himself, the event is still held at Clyde Lake where Frank originally held it and where you will be joined by about 800 other guests for a wonderful evening of dining, music and a chance to buy world class art work.

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

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Welcome back. The Professional Bull Riding Association or PBR brought their show to Tulsa last Saturday and Sunday and folks there’s a reason why they call it “the toughest event on earth” as several cowboys had to be assisted from the arena during the course of the evening. According to their website Professional Bull Riders, Inc. was founded in 1992 by 20 riders who left the traditional rodeo circuit to establish bull riding as a stand-alone event. Each rider invested $1,000 to start the organization. Today bull riding is the fast growing sport in the country and those $1,000 investments are worth millions.

The competition was held at the fantastic BOK Center and this fan friendly event center is worth the drive just to see it up close. There is plenty of parking close to the building so going to any kind of show there is an easy in and out.

Looking forward to next spring, May 11^th has just been announced as the “night of scholarships and I believe this is a date you will want to mark on your calendar. I understand that kids in our schools are already excited and after hearing that Barry Switzer, or as many call him simply “Coach” is coming to town for the event along with Silver Shoes Joe Washington even the big 60 and 70 year old kids are getting revved up. With back to back national collegiate football championships and then a Super Bowl win along with the roster of colorful characters he has coached all add up to make Switzer one of the most famous and beloved figures in Oklahoma sports. Coming along with Barry is a man whose highlight films are nothing less than unbelievable. I’ve known Joe Washington for about a year and like Will Rogers I don’t think he’s ever met a man he didn’t like. Call the E/E at (918) 336-8200 for all the info and better get your tickets early for this one for sure.

As education is on my mind here’s this week’s scoop: OLLI at OSU. Friends these are classes offered through OSU for people who want new learning experiences in a short course format. OLLI’s new fall schedule just came out and the list of classes is quite impressive. The classes are geared toward older adults and if you want to learn more about Woody Guthrie there’s a class directed by Deanna McCloud Director of the Woody Guthrie Center. How about Bob Wills or the history of jazz? There are classes about all of this as well on Will Rogers and politics, the study of the brain, Tai Chi and history and Hamilton an American Musical which is the show that has been such a smash on Broadway. Bob Blackburn, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society will be giving a talk along with Bartlesville’s own Charlie Taraboletti who will offering insights into the popular film world. There are a dozen more classes I don’t have room for but I need to mention that these are all very affordable, how does $5 sound? OLLI truly offers something for everyone and you’re never too old to learn-I’m proof of that!

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

Welcome back. Continuing from where I left you last week on the historic Chisholm Trail near Yukon, Oklahoma I was there on last Thursday night as a crowd of roughly 150 people celebrated a man’s birthday. Governor Fallin was there along with her husband Wade Christensen who has recently released a cookbook. I got the chance to visit with him about the book and there were lots of other dignitaries on hand like past Governor George Nigh who was a featured speaker along with Governor Fallin who led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday. The famous cowboy Billy Etbauer was there as was the well-known professional ice hockey coach Doug Sauter. All this under a tent atop a hill overlooking a valley that back in the 1800s was part of the Chisholm Trail, the “trail that fed America.” Three time Governor Nigh spoke of how two men crossed the Chisholm Trail through Oklahoma and made history. One, John Christen kept going, and the other, Bob Funk stayed.

Governor Fallin also praised Funk for his spirit and dedication not only to Oklahoma but also to his mission of helping the people he employs reach their goals in life. The life size bronze statue of Funk on horseback looking down the trail which was dedicated on Thursdaywas a surprise gift for his 75^th birthday funded by friends and family. A model of the sculpture was unveiled at his birthday party last year and I felt fortunate to have been invited to that party as well.

Of all the celebrity types I got to visit with over a three day extravaganza, where even the legendary star Kenny Rogers was hanging out, one person I met you may never have heard of or remember and it is my pleasure to tell you a little bit about him.

Dean Smith is 84 now. With the body of a 40 year old, Smith was a Gold Medal winner at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and he looks to me like he could still set a few records. He’s in the Texas Longhorns Hall of Honor among many others and had a long and successful career as a film star and stuntman during Hollywood’s so called Golden Age. Smith acted and performed stunts in some of the biggest movies of the day. John Wayne used him in a dozen films but he also doubled for Roy Rogers, Robert Redford and even Maureen O’Hara. A personal friend of Ben Johnson, Dale Evans and many other big name stars I can tell you if they were all as nice as Dean Smith it’s no wonder they call it the Golden Age of Hollywood and friends it must have been some party. Dean has a book out about his life called Cowboy Stuntman: From Olympic Gold to the Silver Screen. I’ve got one and it’s a good look back in time, check it out.

Saturday and Sunday found me signing books with Joe Washington at the Great American Gun Show in Tulsa. With the political climate and what seems to be an uptick in home invasions promoters tell me they expect big crowds at all their upcoming shows. I’ve discovered that there are not only gun dealers at these shows but also many talented artists. You can find a lot of interesting things and if you look closely you might find a bargain while meeting some nice people.

Till next time I’ll see you down the road……

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Its been a great four days and now I’m winding down the second day at the gun show…..

Welcome back. For Will Rogers fans, last Saturday morning marked the anniversary of his death and every year a celebration is held in his memory at the Dog Iron Ranch. A grass air strip sits next to the house Will was born in and planes of every kind fly in from all over the country for the event. This is a regular layover for me if I’m in the area and this year the good weather drew big crowds and lots of planes. There were bi-planes, planes from World Wars I and II, experimental ultra-lights and even several helicopters. With plenty of food vendors, Will Rogers souvenirs, guided tours of the house, trains rides for the kids and dozens of tame animals all wanting to be petted, people of all ages had a great time. If you missed it don’t worry, this is an annual event and friends this party doesn’t cost a dime to attend.

On the road this week I’m traveling the same trail that Texas cattlemen followed going north to Abilene, Kansas back in 1853 when cattle prices for longhorn cattle in Texas were $4 a head compared to over $40 a head in Missouri. It was a rough life and a dangerous job for those cowboys as encounters with vigilantes, rustlers and hostile Indians were common. According to Wikipedia, by the end of the civil war most cattle drives started at the Red River in College Station, Texas but other historians claim that this famous cattle trail started further south around San Antonio. By now, with over 27 movies out about it, I’m sure at least some of you know I’m talking about the Chisholm Trail. If you believe the film versions, I’m riding down the same trail that John Wayne and Montgomery Cliff took in the 1948 classic movie Red River. Walter Brennan and Randolph Scott fought rustlers along the trail in the 1938 film The Texans and dozens of songs have been written about the trail by the likes of Gene Autry, Woody Guthrie, Tex Ritter and Roy Rogers.

I also learned that there are at least eight schools named Chisholm Trail and several towns along the trail hold big festivals that last for days. Ok, so what am I doing here? Well here’s a little news you may find interesting. By next week’s column, a life size bronze statue of Oklahoma philanthropist and businessman Bob Funk sitting on his favorite horse will have been dedicated at a site along the original Chisholm Trail just outside of Yukon, Oklahoma. I’ll grab a photo and bring you all the details next week. I’ll also be telling you more about the world’s richest cow sale which starts Friday outside of Yukon and where music legend Kenny Rogers will be performing for guests. After all that what else? Well during the day Saturday and Sunday I’ll be with OU great Joe Washington at the Grand National Gun Show at the Tulsa Fairgrounds. With everything going on with the upcoming election, show promotors tell me they expect big crowds.

I hope to see you somewhere along the way but if not, tell next time I’ll see ya down the road….

Headed out to Yukon for the dedication of a bronze stature of Oklahoma philanthropist and businessman Bob Funk. Should have a photo to show you all.

Just a reminder that basketball is not the only sport played in Oklahoma…..

Welcome back. Baseball is truly something special. Across the country there are many historical small town ball fields like Doenges Memorial Stadium where many professional major leaguers got their start over the last 70 years. With seating for 2,500 it’s been the crown jewel of downtown Bartlesville since 1932 and thanks to the support of the community it will continue to be.

In Tulsa the Double A Tulsa Drillers call ONEOK Field home. Opened in 2010 at a cost of 39.2 million, the stadium holds 7,833 spectators comfortably and when they add seating on the infield for concerts that number jumps to 9,000. Built just like the big league ballparks with a couple of dozen private suites, ONEOK Field also offers many other extras for fans, players and coaches.

Trying to see all the baseball I could over the weekend, on the 4^th I caught a game at the stadium in Bricktown which is located right in downtown Oklahoma City and is close to everything.  The Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark as it is called is home to the Triple A Oklahoma City Dodgers which is the affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The big boys play here and with seating for over 13,000 it is also home to the Big 12 Tournament and numerous other major events.

While I was there I found out that there are three main gates leading into the park and each one is marked by a giant bronze sculpture of a ball player with ties to Oklahoma. At the main gate is Mickey Mantle who was born in Spavinaw and raised in Commerce, Oklahoma. The7’6” statue stands on a 3’ granite base and was dedicated on the opening day of the stadium in 1998. A 9’bronze of Oklahoma boy Johnny Bench greets fans at the home plate gate. Bench grew up in Binger, Oklahoma and his statue was dedicated in 2001.

Warren Spahn was a hard throwing left hander from Buffalo, New York who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Mantle and Bench.  Although not a native of Oklahoma, the 8’8” statue of him at the other gate came to be because after managing the Tulsa Drillers in 1967 he chose to remain here and live in Broken Arrow.

The inside of the Chickasaw Ballpark has an elegant design and state of the art amenities including a 10’ high 185’ long LED video scoreboard in left field. The food in the ballpark is also top of line and it’s no wonder that it has been named the #2 minor league park in the country by Baseball America and ranked in the top 10 minor league stadiums in the country at the Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Baseball, the 4^th of July and America, they all go together so if you’re thinking of catching a ball game, whether at Doenges Stadium, ONEOK Field or at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, located at where else but #2 south Mickey Mantle Drive, you are sure to meet some friends and have a good time at the old ballgame.

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

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