Day 9: June 22, 2007 Gatherings

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This was a record setting event with over 80 e-group members in attendance including, for the first time ever, group founder Greg Laxton. Mike & Sharon Ward did another wonderful job organizing it and Mike did his usual superb as MC. There were many door prizes - enough that everyone won something - and I got a 49 state road atlas. (Quick, what year was it made?) Mike usually has a bonus or two and presents maps from their birth year and state to some members. This year I was one of the lucky ones and now have a 1947 official Ohio Department of Highways map. Mark Potter also got one this year. Mark was born in 1967 and Mike announced his first. After giving Mark his map, Mike began by saying that the next winner was a few years older. 20 = few? Love the way that man counts!

It was raining when the breakfast concluded and I returned to the motel for a couple of hours. As I indicated on Monday, my memory was that this museum was much better that the Route 66 portion of the complex in Elk City. This place does have more on the building of the road but I think my memory that this was significantly better was unfounded. Both museums do the Road well.

There was also activity at the Artists and Authors Area at the Frisco Center. A music stage is behind the center and there are booths inside and out. A display of - I guess - pickup trucks is in the center's parking lot. If your neighbor is scoffing at your Hummer or the F-350 just doesn't get the job done any more, this is the vehicle for you.

The Frisco center was also where the Will Rogers Awards Banquet was held. David Rushing, Crocodile Lile, and Mike Ward were just three of the speakers and presenters who kept things rolling. If there was a Best Dressed Roadie Award, it would have been a real tough choice this year. That's Delbert Trew, backed by, wife Ruth, accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award. Larry and Pat Wofford, owners of Route 66 Harley-Davidson in Tulsa, accept the Business of the Year award from last year's winners, Ramona & Bob Lehman of the Munger Moss Motel. Author Marian Clark won the Person of the Year award (Hip, Hip, Hooray!!) and the group who restored the armory in Chandler, Oklahoma, got the Avery Award. That's Chuck Rogers, Will Rogers' grandson, in the last picture. He presented the Will Rogers Award which went to Michael Wallis. As explained in some closing remarks, the recipient of this award is chosen by the Rogers family. Michael is certainly deserving of just about any award with a Route 66 connection but, since the Rogers Award is seen by some as a replacement for the Steinbeck Award, it was a little like giving it to him twice. Wallis said as much himself and expressed mixed emotions in accepting the award. Will's kids can give their award to anyone they want but I think another choice would have been better received.

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