Will Rogers Recreation Area named

A reunion of Will Rogers descendants started in an extraordinary way — with a Claremore city council meeting. The council convened before more than 100 family members to present and vote approval of a resolution naming the new park land site along Dupont Street as Will Rogers Recreation Area. Kem Rogers, eldest grandson of Will Rogers and member of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission, accepted the resolution for the family. They were also able to see a layout of the new park area, purchased by the city from the family of Luther McNames. McNames was one of the Oklahoma National Guardsmen who stood guard over the Jo Davidson statue in the Will Rogers Museum rotunda in the hours before it was unveiled. The occasion was also a reunion for Claremore City Clerk Carlene Webber and Jennifer Rogers Etchiverry, Will Rogers’ great-granddaughter. Webber and Jennifer met while in New York for the opening of the “ Will Rogers Follies.” Jennifer was expecting her first child, Meeghan, now 13.