Spring Roper class getting ready for spring, summer event

Steve Gragert and Doris "Coke" Meyer.

 

Honoring Coke
Surrounded by Will Rogers Ropers, Doris “Coke” Meyer, received her “credentials” naming her an official Roper. Honored as the 2010 Class of Ropers got underway, she is seated with (from left) Linda Bradshaw, Dr. Jim Marshall and Mary Marshall. Museums Director Steve Gragert presented her a graduation certificate and Roper bandana neckerchief.

 

Roper trainer
Susan Rollins, who is training her third class of Ropers, was honored as the Class of 2010 got underway.

 

 

Ten new Ropers-in-training met members of the first two classes of Will Rogers Memorial volunteers when they gathered for a training session and presentation of volunteer awards.

The Class of 2010 includes retired teachers, a housewife-community volunteer-piano teacher, retired Oklahoma State University Extension Service Director and a man who loves the role of Clem Rogers as he takes a historical players troupe on the road for various events.

Clayton Loos is already volunteering. The retired operations manager of a transportation company, he is helping Curator Jennifer Holt by scanning archives.

One of the trainees lives in Pryor, one lives in Owasso and another in Collinsville.

Steve Gragert, Will Rogers Memorial Museums director, presented a special honor to Doris “Coke” Meyer, who is an honorary Roper. The great-niece of Will Rogers, she attended most of the second session training classes to enhance knowledge of her famous uncle. She is the oldest living relative and the last of the great-nieces and nephews who knew “Uncle Will”.

Gragert also presented volunteer awards to members of the first two classes citing their contributions to the Memorial as tour hosts as well as helping with collections and other programs.

The latest class will graduate in time to volunteer with the Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In, marking the 75th anniversary of the death of Will and his pilot friend in an Alaskan plane crash.

Members of the Class pf 2010 are L.D. Allison, retired Oklahoma State University Extension Service director and active appraiser; Dawn Beck, who was in the travel industry; Martin Howard, retired from American Airlines; Ivan Pace, a leader of Historical Players, who spent 45 years as a jeweler-gemologist; Joyce Prebble, who retired after 37 years as a kindergarten teacher; Martha Swartz, a veterinary wife and rancher; Karen Tripp, community volunteer and piano teacher; and Andrea Volturo, who spent 28 years in the office of the state auditor and inspector.