A Western themed campout was held in May in Claremore by the Wheeler Dealers Camping Club. Visits to the home of Will Rogers in Oolagah, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum, hamburger cookout, and boot scootin’ to country western music at The Nut House carried out the campout’s theme.

Organized by Joe and Pat Brown and Randi and Clarice Olsen, Bartlesville, the group camped at the Claremore Expo Center campground. Many arrived Thursday and that evening dined together at The Hammett House, known for its pies. .

Friday morning some club members visited the Dog Iron Ranch, Will Rogers Birthplace in Oolagah. They viewed the room where the famous entertainer/humorist, vaudeville performer, roper and newspaper columnist who “never met a man I didn’t like” was born. Longhorns and goats graze over the ranch overlooking Oolagah Lake. Ask Wheeler Dealer members about the cat in the house.

Friday afternoon the group visited The Nut House on Route 66 south of Claremore. Members purchased nuts, home-made fudge, candies, and home and garden items with a camping theme.

Friday evening the group dined at The Pink House in the historic Belvidere Mansion. The restaurant relocated to the Belvedere in 2017 and features salads, sandwiches, casseroles and desserts made with only the freshest ingredients. The dinner was a special event for the club.

The Belvidere Mansion was built in 1907 by John M. Bayless and his family. Unfortunately he died before construction finished, but his wife and children did reside there. Following dinner, the group toured the unique three-story Victorian mansion which is said to be haunted, although no one saw any evidence of ghosts.

The group then returned to the campground and gathered around Clarence Hill’s Flame Genie for a campfire and visiting.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum was the group’s destination Saturday morning. The tour began with a talk about Will Rogers complete with some of Will’s rope tricks given by retired elementary principal Andy Hogan. One would have almost thought they were hearing Will himself talk. The members then toured the museum including 12 galleries of history and memorabilia. A movie narrated by Will Rogers Jr. showed off many of the entertainer’s famous rope tricks.

She Brew’s Coffee House in downtown Claremore was the noon stop for lunch. Established in 2012 it provides a second chance for women in transition from prison to break the cycle of recidivism and give them work opportunities. They roast their own coffee beans and made their own salads, sandwiches and desserts. The chicken salad, soups and desserts were among the group’s favorites. The group heard a testimonial from one of the workers who made and served the lunch about the difference She Brews had made in her life.

Over 50,000 unique items featuring firearms, swords, knives, Western memorabilia, Native American artifacts and more were viewed at the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum. Opened in 1969, it features the world’s largest firearms collection.

Saturday evening the western theme continued with a hamburger cookout complete with western décor and clothing worn by some of the members. The group then traveled back to The Nut House on Route 66 for music by Fred Hannah and his band; a special treat arranged by Joe Brown, a friend of Hannah’s. Members demonstrated their talents on the dance floor to the country western music of this group of Claremore and Verdigris retirees who enjoy playing and singing together.

The campout concluded Sunday morning with a pot luck breakfast and business meeting to discuss future campouts.

Other campouts scheduled for the year include:

June– Sequoyah State Park, Seminole Campground, Waggoner, OK

July– Sarge Creek Campground, Loop A, Kaw Lake. Kaw City OK

August – Meet and Eat, Osage Hills State Park (between Pawhuska and Bartlesville). It will be a potluck luncheon.

September– Melvern Lake, Loop B, North and South sections, Melvern, KS.

October– Canton Lake, Canadian Campground, Canton, OK

November– Big Hill Lake, Cherryvale, KS.

December – Christmas Luncheon, McCord Senior Citizens Center, McCord, OK

Wheeler Dealers monthly campouts are held weekends from March to November with only lunch or breakfast gathering in February and August and a special Christmas Party in December. Members can make their own reservations at many of the Corps lakes through recreation.gov, the Corps of Engineers reservation service.

Current members are from Bartlesville, Norman, Nowata, Owasso, Ponca City, Sand Springs, and Tulsa. Anyone is invited to join.

Persons interested in knowing more should contact Lowry, president, at 580-304-5445 in Ponca City or Clarence, vice-president, at 405-612-7781 in Bartlesville.