Members of the most recent class of Will Rogers Ropers (docents) visited the Birthplace Ranch, where they learned about the young Will, born in the ranch house. Trainees, who will graduate November 19 are Juanita Cody (front from left), Linda Russell and Bob Seay (facilitator); and back Lynette Trotter, Karen Tripp (facilitator); Norma Callicoat; and Harriet Kuykendall (facilitator).
Will Rogers Ropers Near Graduation
A new class of Will Rogers Ropers (docents) is in the final days of training sessions and helped with Will Rogers Days activities Nov. 4-8. They are meeting each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to learn about Will Rogers and ways to serve and assist with the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore and Birthplace Ranch near Oologah.
Some in the group paid a visit to the ranch house where Will was born and where they got a firsthand look at the importance of Ropers. About 50 students (and their sponsors) from Grimes Elementary in Tulsa were at the Birthplace that day with a half dozen experienced Ropers helping Bart Taylor, Museum assistant curator of education
Classes will continue through November 12 with graduation on November 19.
During each session, prospective Ropers met Museum staff, toured the Museum, read books by and about Will and viewed his movies.
Members of the class are Norma Callicoat, retired educator, whose love of history drew her to the docent program; Linda Russell, retired from Robson Properties, who loves old movies and meeting people; and Juanita Cody, who moved here from California and loves learning about Will and helping in the archives.
Lynette Trotter was an art teacher more that 30 years and is an adjunct professor of art appreciation at Rogers State University and history buff. She traveled with the official re-enactment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s 200th anniversary and is a proud Cherokee.
Pat Crume has been a student of Will Rogers history since coming to Claremore at age of five. She served on the Will Rogers Memorial Commission and Heritage Trust and is an author, publisher and teacher in the art field. Her paintings are on the wall leading to the Will Rogers Memorial’s Children’s Museum.
Diane Davis recently retired from JPMorgan Chase Bank and is looking forward to learning and researching about Will and sharing him.
Seasoned Ropers Bob Seay, Karen Tripp, Harriet Kuykendall; and Sherry Whisler facilitate classes.
