The Newkirk Community Historical Society has received an Oklahoma Humanities Grant for the 2022 Charlie’s Tellers that will be presented on September 10, 2022 at Charlie Adams Day. There will be six tellers and the Kaw language Youth Group, Taje’ Sage, presenting a Kaw Language demonstration under the Direction of Desiree Storm Brave.

Bob Rodgers will portray Homer “Soapy” Blair. Bob is one of Newkirk’s premier storytellers as well as a Main Street Maverick. Over the years Bob has portrayed many Newkirk citizens.

Soapy will be one of Bob’s more colorful portrayals. Soapy grew up in Three Sands where the Main Street which ran east and west was the Kay-Noble county line. His father was a boxing coach for the oil companies and Soapy as well as other young kids followed the boxers around. They spent time at the gym and were taught to fight, as a result they were the “curtain risers” for the fights.

As an adult in addition to Soapy’s work in the oil fields, he taught many young men to box. At first his teams practiced in the top of the old post office, but soon had to move to the basement area of the Park Hotel. He taught them much more than just boxing as they formed a life bond.

Be sure to come to Charlie Adams Day eat some great barbecue and watch the tellers who will be located in front of the Newkirk Public Library at 116 N. Magnolia. Thanks to the Oklahoma Humanities Council this entertainment is free and all about the early day citizens of Newkirk.