Pocahontas Club takes “Hats off to Will”

 

The annual tribute by Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club takes “Hats off to Will” in honor of his wife, Betty, who often wore a hat. A tradition since the museum opened in 1938, the usual memorial program is highlighted by new additions — judging of the hats, won by the youngest model, Riley Burke, descendant of Will’s sister, Maud Lane — and a Native American dress style show.

Laurette Willis, producer of Cherokee Heritage Center summer theater, was joined in an original presentation by Lisa Faulkner, descendant of original members of the 111-year-old club.

The club placed a basket of fall foliage at the base of the Will Rogers statue in the Will Rogers Memorial and a wreath of roses on the Rogers’ family tomb.

Three Adair sisters, who are longtime members of Pocahontas Club shared time with three sisters who came from California to pay tribute to Will. Will was an honorary member of Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club. Glorea and Cleora Robb played Will’s twin daughters in the 1933 movie “Mr. Skitch.”

 

With California sisters, Louanne Fay, Cleora Galt and Glorea Morgan (back) are Pocahontas sisters Lorene Childers, Pat Denton and Mary DeArmon.

 

Pocahontans prepare to place a wreath at the Rogers’ tomb

 

A basket of fall foliage graces the Will Rogers Memorial rotunda

 

Lisa Faulkner and Laurette Willis

 

Riley Burke from Florida won the “Hats off to Will” honor

 

Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry, who hosted the Robb sisters at the Will Rogers Ranch in California in August, came to Claremore to join them for Will Rogers Days