News Analysis--GRDA & Chronicle Media

Or, How a Well Intentioned Program Turned Into a Media Beating

When GRDA set out in April to enlist help in furthering its public image it didn't anticipate that in doing so, it would launch a barrage of criticism effectively bringing the opposite result.

It all happened very quickly. According to meeting minutes, GRDA staff member Holly Moore, Director of Community Relations, reported on a recent brand audit conducted by Littlefield, Inc. of Tulsa, an advertising and marketing firm. (no relation to the former senator from Delaware County.) The audit included a telephone survey of 650 residents across northeast Oklahoma, 250 around Lake Hudson and Grand Lake and 400 who lived in the communities in which GRDA provides electricity. According to Moore, the survey showed some misunderstandings and misconceptions about GRDA, including a "very low unaided awareness about GRDA," according to meeting minutes. So a plan was put together to overcome the awareness problem. It was a very specific plan, quite demanding, and written to not favor any particular agency over another. Or was it so demanding with so little dollars that only one response would be forthcoming?

In a "Request for Proposal for GRDA Educational Campaign," specifications were sent to eight firms in the area outlining very specific requirements. The firms included Littlefield, Inc. of Tulsa, Choice Marketing of Joplin, Solutions Marketing Savvy of Claremore, Anglin Public Relations and Winnercomm of Tulsa, Brothers & Company of Tulsa, Hahn Promotions of Jenks, Fair Isaac of Tulsa, and Chronicle Media of Langley.

Littlefield Inc. returned a nice letter stating that it did not want to bid at this time, and Choice Marketing said it was really busy and the dollar amount listed by GRDA was too low to do the job. Other than Chronicle Media, the rest did not respond at all.
Deadline for returning the bid was May 2, 2006 and only one bid was returned---from Chronicle Media.

When it was announced as Contract A-10195-00 at the May 10, 2006 GRDA Board of Directors meeting in Vinita, no eyebrows were raised by the media in attendance.
The contract really didn't come to light until a month later when the Tulsa World ran two days of stories on the appointment of Chronicle-Media as successful bidder for GRDA marketing and advertisement services, highlighting the fact that the co-founder of Chronicle Media, Mike Williams, had once served time in prison for filing false travel claims with the State of Oklahoma. The Tulsa World made a big deal of this, but his prison record has little to do with the issue.

The bid was for an amount not to exceed $60,000 annually, or according to the actual contract, not exceeding $5,000 per month unless prior written approval is obtained from GRDA
Per the contract, Chronicle Media "shall work closely with GRDA personnel and shall present GRDA with a plan and estimated budget prior to the incurrence of any actual expenses to be reimbursed by GRDA." Travel expenses are not included in the budget, nor or actual media buys such as newspaper ads or television spots. Chronicle Media listed hourly rates for its services which range from $50 an hour up to $225 per hour, with "turnkey video production available at $1,000 per finished minute except for extraordinary travel requirements." A 20% space discount will be given to GRDA, however, for ads placed in the Chronicle newspaper.

Chronicle Media, according to the bid requirements, will need to accomplish a nine-item list…"assist in developing and upgrading the GRDA marketing plan, develop a budgeting plan for the Educational Campaign, develop and submit a timed plan with recommendations and budget proposals for advertising campaigns/promotions, research and recommend media print and radio purchases, create and produce multi-media advertisements and collateral materials to generate increased public support, provide objective independent post-market testing and advertising effectiveness, evaluation, research and analysis, provide and support video and still photography, design or create outdoor media, brochures in printed and electronic formats, PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets, radio scripts, advertisements and opinion editorials, and assist in launch of speaker's bureau, editorial board circuit, special events and other programs in support of public relation efforts."

A tall order indeed! The folks at Chronicle Media are going to be busy, if these goals are to be met. Maybe this explains why there was only one bidder. Owner Brian Ruth says "we can get it done."

Chronicle Media, in its bid, listed no clients, client record of achievements, or success stories, as most agencies do in bids or presentations. In fact, Chronicle Media didn't even exist until January, prior to the bid request in April. It is a creation of a few employees at the Grand Lake Chronicle, notably Mike Williams, otherwise known as Clarence Michael Williams, listed as co-founder of Chronicle Media in the bid document. He is the author of the weekly column, "The Lake Bum."

Williams was described as a "media maestro" in an August 1994 article by David Beiler on Campaigns and Elections. He was also a very effective lobbyist.

GRDA critics charge that the hiring of Chronicle Media was simply another "political payback" to Williams, who worked to get Senate Bill 408 passed into law, which effectively reorganized GRDA, fired the old Board of Directors, and pushed through changes that the "marina interests" wanted. After all, Williams was working for Ugly Johns Marina at the time.
The new board then hired Kevin Easley, former Senator, as CEO of GRDA who remains in that position. It was widely anticipated at the time that Easley would become the new CEO.

GRDA's relationship with Mike Williams continued in 2005 when he was appointed to the Shoreline Management Plan working group.

Williams wife, Carolyn Williams, known as "Cari," is also no stranger to GRDA, having been awarded two contracts for lobby work for GRDA in 2005 for her firm, Main Street Marketing. The first contract was dated Oct. 21, 2005 and $15,000 was paid on Nov. 2, 2005; another contract was dated March 30, 2005 and $5,000 was paid on April 6, 2005, according to GRDA records.

Shortly after the Tulsa World carried two days of stories on the Chronicle Media deal, Cari Williams filed for divorce in Oklahoma County. And, the Grand Lake Chronicle launched a blitzkrieg response with a full page ad listing people who support the GRDA and Chronicle Media, and columns attacking the Tulsa World and editor of The Grove Observer, written by Brent Howard of Howard Classic Boats and staff writer Bart Montgomery, whose attack was personal.

It is rare that journalists attack one another on a personal basis. Their full-page ad stated "we urge those who prefer …personal attacks to put down their weapons of destruction and join in the positive efforts championed jointly by GRDA and Chronicle Media." Maybe "they doth protest too much."

The Grove Observer finds it curious that the GRDA Media Department has always been shorthanded and recently lost one of its finest, Tana Poppino, who according to one source, disagreed on some management issues, perhaps even the Chronicle Media deal. And, where did the $60,000 come from, one must ask, when there was no money to hire another in-house writer.

It should be noted that the GRDA customers are the ones that eventually pay for these kinds of expenditures, in rate increases. GRDA is a utility company, first, and has several hundred hard working, very fine employees who perform dangerous work at times. Lake residents would certainly prefer GRDA lake management to the Army Corps of Engineers. GRDA has taken great strides since Easley's appointment in improving management of the lake and work on ecosystems and environmental issues. People who argue over the ecosystems thing should realize there wasn't even an Ecosystems Department three years ago.

Anytime you effect change, you bring reaction, or as Isaac Newton put it in his Third Law, "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." GRDA would do well to take note of this in advance of making decisions which could result in controversy. GRDA should have known that hiring Chronicle Media and Mike Williams would generate questions and trouble; maybe it did and chose to ignore it.

Williams' previous misdeeds are not really the issue. Neither is the Grand Lake Chronicle, which does an excellent job of keeping Grand Lakers informed on the fun stuff, and has expanded under new owner Brian Ruth.

The key issue is the perception that GRDA is playing politics, paying back favors, favoring the big marina interests, etc. A secondary issue is had we received only one returned bid on the solicitation, we would have had to ask ourselves why…and maybe punt, to be considered another day. Was too much to be expected of the bidders? Was the dollar reward too low? Were the bid specs not sent out to the proper agencies? Do we really need such a program anyway? We would probably have anticipated the furor over this deal and abandoned it. Unless Chronicle Media hires several more people there is no way they can complete the tasks as outlined, especially for $60,000, which is why no one else bid.

Anyone who attends a GRDA Board of Directors meeting quickly catches on that it is the Board that runs this company, not necessarily the CEO, and everything must be approved by the Board. The board should have taken a better look at this as well.

Important issues are still ahead, like habitable structures, responsibility for flood control pre-release, the Shoreline Management Plan, control of the board by the large marina operators, water quality, shoreline cleanup, and dock waivers which have stood since 1972, plus a new board member appointment next month. One can expect that in addressing each of these issues, controversy will be generated in the normal course of events. But GRDA should anticipate it and get out in front of the issue before the media turns it around.

Kenny Wright Pledges Changes for DA's Office

(Editors Note: We asked Kenny Wright, candidate for District Attorney for Ottawa and Delaware Counties, to explain what he will do differently if elected to the position of District Attorney. Here is his response:)


First, I will change the organization of the D.A.'s office. Each case will be assigned to a specific attorney who is responsible for the case. That attorney will review reports and determine whether any further investigative action is warranted prior to making charging decisions. Each attorney will keep a calender and block off time for hearings, phone calls, and office visits just like every other business professional does. This will allow a more efficient use of the attorney's time as well as those who deal with the office. It will allow witnesses, law enforcement officers, and attorneys to schedule appointments with prosecutors for the first time in memory in our district. I have heard many complaints from people being told the attorneys do not make appointments. As a result of this policy, people, including officers, often wait hours to have a brief discussion with a prosecutor.

Every two prosecutors will share one personal secretary. That secretary will be required to maintain the calenders of the attorneys, to assist in scheduling, and to take phone messages. As a private business, one of our most important assests has always been our secretarial staff. I rely on my secretaries to help me make sure I get everything taken care of and to help take care of me.

We will have regular attorney staff meetings. I will preside over these meetings to ensure cases are being handled correctly. We will use these meetings to help each other prepare and execute our specific case strategies.

I will use my investigative staff to investigate crime, not merely duplicate work other law enforcement agencies perform. My investigators will also be available to assist other agencies at their request. We will rebuild the Drug Task Force into a cohesive unit composed of members of all law enforcement agencies. Our Drug Task Force will one again have a unified strategy for enforcing our drug laws by every means the law allows. We will not follow one strategy (confidential informants used to make controlled buys) to the exclusion of all other strategies. We will not exclude any agencies from our Drug Task Force (southern Ottawa County for example).

I have plans to set up regular training sessions for our local law enforcement. Most of the sessions will be taught by me personally. I want to help law enforcement understand what they can do to assist the prosecutors prepare for jury trials. I also want law enforcement to help me understand and know how to help them. I look forward to learning from the men and women who risk their lives every day to keep us safe.

The District Attorney is also the attorney for the counties. I want to help the county commissioners protect our district from liability. Since I started campaigning, I have been particularly excited to meet some of the men and women of our volunteer fire departments. I have also learned from them how hard their departments have it financially. I will do more to help these dedicated men and women prepare for what they must face. I continue to rely on their input to learn how I can help them.

We will continue to collect bogus checks for our business people. However, I will not allow the indescriminate assessment of D.A. fees in excess of $200.00 for every check. Right now, if a person makes a mistake with their account, they are treated like a criminal. If a person is intentionally bouncing checks I am all for hammering them. However, if a husband writes a big check a wife does not know about and within a week five checks for $5.00 each bounce, it may be a legitimate error. If the error is legitimate, I refuse to line my pockets with over $1000.00 of their hard earned money. I will always get money back for our businesses. In fact, there is no reason we cannot also compensate the business owners for the time-value of money. Our laws allow triple restitution. In many cases, I believe triple restitution is appropriate. I will use this tool to more powerfully punish people who rip off our businesses.

I will alter truancy court so that it complies with the laws of the State. We will not cast our net so wide that single working mothers are forced to plea to crimes they did not commit. If a parent tries to encourage and force a child to go to school, they are not guilty of a crime because the kid leaves school right after he walks in the doors. We must focus on the causes of truancy. We must inspire our youth to participate in care. Our school teachers want to help. With their help we can have kids happy to go to school. If the kids hate being there, they will not learn. If they their parents tried to make them go to school and then see them arrested and labeled criminals, what have we taught them?

We will bring back community service for adults and juveniles alike. I would rather see ten guys spend all weekend painting the house of a senior citizen on social security than wasting our resources sitting in jail for two days. I never understood why community service was discontinued. It can be a powerful tool to get people invested in their community. We had some inmates of the Delaware County Jail build a playground in Jay a few years ago. These guys are proud of their accomplishment. They know they have done something good. They tell their children, "Your dad helped build this playground."

My office will focus more heavily on crimes committed by people who are dangerous to society. So much time is presently eaten up by arguing over minor details in every little case, prosecutors have limited time to focus and prepare for the big cases. By implementing a fair system of justice for misdemeanor crimes, my attorneys will have time to prepare for the most important cases.

Preparation is the key to victory in the courtroom. We will fully interview and prepare every material witness prior to their testimony. I will help law enforcement plan to counteract defense strategies. Witnesses must know what to expect and be aware of evidentiary issues. For witnesses to be properly prepared, the prosecutors must have time to prepare. I will make sure cases are handled correctly.

I will use my skills as a trial attorney for the benefit of all the people. Since 1999, I have conducted 18 felony jury trials in our two counties. Only 7 of these trials resulted in convictions for contested crimes. During this same period of time, the present District Attorney tried 7 defendants in 6 trials in Delaware and Ottawa Counties. Of these 7 defendants, only three were convicted of crimes they contested. My opponent tried no criminal cases in private practice. During this same time period, I have fought over 200 preliminary hearings. My opponent has done less than 20. We both handled many cases and trials prior to 1999; however, I begin these stats in 1999 because that is the year my opponent first became his own boss. I have called my own shots since 1997 and have not avoided the courtroom. It would have been as easy for me as it is for him to assign all my cases to associates. I have chosen to exercise my skills as much as possible. I will be on the front line fighting for the good of our people as District Attorney.

I have never been involved in politics before. We are running a grassroots campaign. My opponent is running a campaign partially based on the fact that he will outspend me 3-1 or maybe even 4-1. I am not tied to the power elite and big money in our district. I owe no favors to anyone. This will allow me to make decisions as District Attorney fairly, objectively, and without influence from special interest groups.

Our next District Attorney will be selected July 25, 2006. There are no other candidates democrat or republican. No matter whom you support, please get out and vote July 25!

Basically, our two most important issues, in my opinion, are methamphetamines and sex offenders. Meth accounts for a large proportion of non-drug crimes (domestic violence and theft crimes are most common). A big step toward fighting meth will be putting the Drug Task Force back together. The creation of a program for low-level drug offenders might have the largest impact. I would build a program modeled off our drug court. It would obviously not last as long nor be as intensive. It would involve real supervision, a curfew, a full-time job, graduated sanctions, and individual and group therapy (including AA/NA meetings. It would also involve coming to court for review (like drug court but not as often). I would focus on slamming the large dealers (they are still out there) with lots of prison time. I would also hammer people who expose children to meth.

Sex offenders, in my opinion, are not amenable to rehabilitation. Keep in mind when I write "sex offender" I do not mean a mildly mentally retarded 18 year old who has consensual sex with a 15 year old. A very wide array of criminal activity is statutorily defined as sex offenses. I will lock up real rapists and child molesters for the rest of their lives if possible. The problem the D.A.'s office faces now is lack of experience in handling this type of case compared to me. As public defender, I represent the majority of people charged with serious sex offenses in our two counties. That inevitably means the State is presently at a disadvantage in each of these cases. Elect me and the State will have an advantage in this respect. I can also make sure investigations are done properly. Perhaps most importantly, I can prepare witnesses to testify and teach other attorneys how to do it. Finally, I will personally handle as many of these prosecutions as possible. My passionate and caring style will garner long sentences from juries.

Waiver of Rule Highlights GRDA Meeting

Much of the monthly GRDA board meeting Wednesday was spent discussing a request by Joe Neill for Waiver of the One-Third-of-the-Cove Rule for a private three-slip dock at Beacon Hill on Monkey Island.

Chairman Jim Fraser said the issue was "troubling," in that it is the first time that a waiver for the one-third rule has been sought for a new dock. The board was shown a media presentation on what the new dock would look like, and its adjacency to a present dock which houses a number of boats and PWC's, including several sailboats. Some members of the board felt that not enough space would be available for the sailboats to maneuver.

The new dock would be 14 feet wider on each side than the present swim dock. David Chernicky said the granting is "clearly justified" but Steve Spears said "it concerns me to vary the one-third rule." Charley Floyd, compliance officer for GRDA, recommended the application be denied as it will become a navigation hazard for the sailboats at the nearby dock.

The application request failed 3-2 with Chernicky and Brent LaGere voting in favor.
Absent was Terry Frost and Mike Cantrell. The board agreed to reconsider the issue next month if Neill could get a neighbor's approval to move the dock 10 feet the opposite direction from the current multi-slip dock across the cove. The application will have to be legal noticed again.

The board also approved a number of contracts for services and the Stilwell Switching Station Expansion and viewed a video on the recent Bassmasters event in Grove produced by Brent Davis of GRDA, and viewed through the lens of the new infrared camera mounted on the front of a GRDA helicopter, via a video, as to what the lake looks like with only a two degree temperature difference in the water. This device will be used to locate septic tank leakage into the lake as well as illegal boat discharges of holding tank material.

Next regular meeting of the GRDA board is Aug. 9 in Vinita.

Editorial...Jail Problem is the State's Problem

We read in the newspaper that Oklahoma tax receipts are the highest in history, up $745 million or 15 percent compared with last year. The oil and gas industry is the major contributor. General fund collections were $5.7 billion this past fiscal year.

But the state jail overcrowding gets worse every day, like a water pipe with a stump in it. State prisons are overcrowded, backing up the county jail system, which in turn gets threatened by the state jail inspector for fines up to $10,000 if the jail population doesn't get reduced.

So the County Commissioners have been talking about an increase in the sales tax by a penny, to build a new jail in Jay. Thankfully, that's all they have done, talk.
Delaware County, particularly Grove, already has a sales tax that is too high and we are losing business to Arkansas and Missouri.

We would like to whisper in the county commissioner's ears and hope it stays in their heads, even after the election:

--No New Taxes.
--Tell our Legislators to fix the problem in Oklahoma City.
--Build more State-run jails at State expense.
--Don't expect the counties to fix problems caused by the State.

We hope our readers will whisper in their ears as well.

Ziggy Leads PWC Expedition Up the Spring River

By Dave Adzigian

The Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron Expedition to Twin Bridges and up the Spring River on July 8th was a "dripping" success. We started at Capt. John Cook Adzigian's wharf with five carefully selected explorers, picked up three more at Patricia Island, lost two at Broad Hollow, picked up two more at Twin Bridges on the homeward leg, then were rejoined by our "dropouts" as well as our official photographer for the cookout at Ziggy's Colony.

It was a perfect weather day. Sunny, calm waters and very little traffic to impede our journey. Ten wiley explorers ventured out this day including "Vasco da Gama" Pett, "Hernando and Henrietta De Soto" Chalupnik, "Tarzan and Jane" Montgomery, "Christopher Columbus" Jackson, "Capt. John Smith" Reynolds, "Lewis and Clark" Godwin and "Capt. John Cook" Adzigian.

The expedition navigated Lake Grande from Her Majesty Queen Patricia Island north past Krazy Karey Bay, Wild Wolfe Creek and dangerous Elk River to infamous Three Finger Cove and the site of the "tsunami wrecked" fishermen, then on to "Toppled Bluff" near Broad Hollow (which is not really broad, but is long).

We went past "Deliverance One", then crossed the snag protected shallows, where the fleet headed west to Shelf Rock, around Wilson Point and on to Solicious Sycamore Creek and the faithful Boathouse Verde. After a brief reprise of Tarzan's Jane's previously unsuccessful attempt to "push" the mud flats on the right side of the Ogeechee Straight with her PWC, the fleet crossed angry, snag infested waters and headed NW following the deep water channel to treacherous Gauntlet Bend then back NE to Indian Gang Plank and on to Twin Bridges.

We discovered why it should be called Three Bridges navigating all three. We plunged into the wilderness of the wild and mighty Spring River (although now it should be called the Summer River, since it is July). We explored seven and a half miles up river charting and logging new world flora and fauna, country aromatic pastures, dipping cows, limestone column cliffs, "Deliverance Two" and the Hwy 10 Bridge until we ran out of water about 1 1/2 miles short of the I-44 Bridge.


Tarzan "Crocodile" Montgomery set out to find us portage to deeper water but was thwarted by the laws of nature, physics and (I quote) "lack of genuine 16th century resourcefulness and imagination".

The return trip was uneventful as the fear of a few vessels not passing fuel inspection and finding the first two "pit stops" closed. All-in-all, the fleet traveled about 79 miles in about 3 hrs 20 minutes, not counting the fuel stop. We "lost" only two mariniers enroute but finished with two more than started. Figure that one out.

Special thanks to Marcia "Emily Post" Pett and Linda "Galloping Gourmet" Adzigian for preparing the "returning conquorers" victory feast. And thanks to our own "Galloping Kodak" Hunts for recording the memories of the hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad (food photos .... what else?). A fun day for all, with new territories explored and tamed.

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Grove Airport Board Holds Routine Meeting

The regular monthly meeting of the Grove Municipal Airport Authority took care of routine items at its meeting Monday, including the following:

--took no action on a discussion as to whether or not airport property could be used for non-aviation use, but generally agreed that it isn't.
--spent considerable time discussing the Airport Survey tabulations by board member Dave Adzigian, even refuting some of the survey comments from airports, based on their own experience in recent landings. The board felt that it did not want to endorse the findings as 100% accurate, but did agree to distribute them to those airports that had requested a copy of the Grove survey, with a cover letter with caveats. Member Tripensee voted against sending out the survey.
--discussed current T Hangar rates and moved to leave them where they are, about $135 per month. They agreed that those hangars that had not received any utility service should not pay the same rates as those that do, and tabled the issue until the next meeting to see how current leases can be amended without incurring further legal assistance. Leases are revised every 10 years currently, and voted 4-1 to review them every five years, on new leases only.
--current fuel price is $3.78 per gallon for 100 LL.
--took no action on joining the Better Business Bureau of Tulsa.
--discussed land leases and lease rates, and tabled the issue until the next meeting.
--discussed the upcoming board vacancy, as Gary Tripensee's term expires Aug. 31, and agreed to offer the board's assistance in naming a replacement, to Mayor Nuckolls.
--agreed to advertise for bids for both branded and unbranded fuel.

A Matter of Faith...

By Carol Round

GIVE UP YOUR INDEPENDENCE TODAY

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45 (NIV)

I was walking my dog recently when I passed a local day care center where children were playing outside. As I watched them, I recalled when my two sons were still small.

My children are now grown. One is married and has blessed me with two grandchildren. I have heard that grandchildren are God’s way of rewarding parents for not killing their teenagers. Makes sense to me.

Making sense of life can sometimes be difficult. I recently called a friend who, along with her husband, has been there for me when I needed someone. I had phoned her because something was bothering me that morning. It turned out that she, as well as I, needed uplifting.

Our conversation turned to our adult children. Although she didn’t reveal the nature of the problems that her children were facing at the time, she felt burdened by their trouble.

As parents, many of us can relate. We sometimes see our grown children making decisions that we feel are not the right choices for them or at least not at the right time in their lives.

As my friend said about her children’s choices, “Sometimes I just want to smack their backsides.”

I had to laugh because you just can’t spank a child who towers over you—even if you would like to get his attention. Grown children usually don’t want you telling them what to do. I have to bite my tongue sometimes when I see through eyes of experience what they cannot. I know my parents felt the same way.

If one of my sons is troubled, he will sometimes seek my advice. That doesn’t always mean that either one will follow my recommendations.

As my friend and I discussed our children, we both realized that our relationship with our heavenly Father is the same. We sometimes ignore His warnings and get into trouble. Then we go running back to Him when we recognize that we needed Him all along.

I wonder if He ever wants to smack our backsides when we don’t listen. Although I am sure that God gets as frustrated with us as we do with our own children, I have a feeling He would lift us up on His lap and give us a great big hug.

God always gives us another chance when we fail. He allows us the freedom to make mistakes, even when He has warned us about the consequences of our choices. But He forgives us and He still loves us—even when we disappoint Him.

Just as our grown children still need us, we need our heavenly Father. But we shouldn’t wait until we get into trouble to go running to Him. Seek His guidance daily. By reading His word and turning to Him in prayer, we are admitting our dependence on Him.

Can you release your independence to Him? It’s not giving up. It’s giving in to the One who has your best interests at heart.


Carol Round is a former Jay High School teacher who now resides in Claremore, OK. She may be contacted at carolaround@yahoo.com.

Orphan Train on Tap at Genealogical Society Meeting

What is an Orphan Train Rider? Come to the Tuesday, July 18th meeting of the Delaware County Genealogical Society, 7 p.m. at the Grove Public Library to hear Ida Mae Wilhoit and Marie Hays, from Oklahoma City, speak to us about the Orphan Train Era. They are both members of the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America, an organization dedicated to researching and preserving the history of the Orphan Train Era.

Ida Mae Wilhoit, whose mother was an Orphan Train Rider, was born and grew up in Pierce City, MO, moving to Tulsa 56 years ago. She will tell us more about the Orphan Train Heritage Society, including her mother’s story.

The meeting is open to the public and anyone who is interested in their family history.

Ida Mae Wilhoit, whose mother was an Orphan Train Rider, will tell the Delaware County Genealogical Society about her mother's experiences at the society's meeting Tuesday, July 18, at 7 p.m. at the Grove Public Library. The Orphan Trains were organized beginning in the 1850s to find homes in rural America for the thousands of orphans roaming the streets of New York City. The last train rolled in 1929 by which time more than 100,000 children had been placed with families.
Today the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America preserves the history of the trains and their riders through research and outreach. Wilhoit is a member and will discuss the organization as well as her mother's experiences. She will be accompanied by Marie Hays of Oklahoma City who is also a member.
Wilhoit was born and raised in Pierce City, Mo., but has lived in Tulsa for 56 years. She, and husband Guy have been married for 55 years. They have three children, 4 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. After working as a legal secretary for several Tulsa law firms, she retired in 1991 from the Williams Companies' legal department.
The public is invited to this program provided by the Genealogical Society.

Boles Elected President of Theatre Association

The Artistic Director & General Manager of The Grove Playmakers, Suzanne Boles, was elected President of the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association at that group’s recent play festival and conference. The Playmakers were also awarded the coveted “Theatre of the Year” award at this event.
Theatre has been an avocation for Mrs. Boles since her college days where she choreographed college productions at Ok. State University. During the mid-1960s she worked in The Festival Theatre, a professional theatre company in Marin County, California before returning to Tulsa, Ok. and participating in the Tulsa Little Theatre. During the 1980s she and her husband were actively involved with the Dhahran Theatre Group in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where she also served as President of the Board. Upon retirement in 1992, they returned to Grove, Suzanne’s home town, and organized The Playmakers in October of 1994.
The Playmakers present at least five productions a year, including youth theatre productions, comedy, drama, and musicals. They present many Readers Theatre events through the year and work devotedly to bring theatre to young students in cooperation with the Grove Public Schools.
OCTA was formed in 1969 and was the first state association of theatres organized in the United States. Their mission is to promote excellence in community theatre. As such, they work toward uniting and supporting all community theatres, theatre organizations and participants in Oklahoma, and connecting them with other community theatres in the region and nation. They serve amateur, professional and university theatres, as well as individual adult and youth members through the state. They foster the communication of ideas and resources among OCTA members and other theatre participants in Oklahoma, and encourage high standards of excellence in both production and management.

Editors Note: The Grove Observer regrets that no photos could be posted on this week's issue due to the continuing failure of Green Country Internet to provide even a modicum of decent service.