Ever heard of Vinita, Oklahoma? Located in north east Oklahoma, it features the world’s largest McDonald’s. I know, so what? Good excuse to let me tell you the following.
In addition to the Mickey D claim to fame, another accomplishment for Vinita, is that it is also renown for being the birthplace of two individuals we know and one of whom we think a lot of: Dr.Phil and our very own Charlie Simms. (Your guess as to which one has our higher regard.) With the 4 O’clock Club mostly out of town these past couple weeks, it’s been nice to talk one on one some with Charlie and learn of his storied past. For instance, when he told me about Vinita, I googled it and discovered that Will Rogers was also from that area. When I asked Charlie about it, he not only verified that Will was from a nearby town, but also noted that Will and his father were good friends. Now, who else do you know who can say things like that?
I have discussed previously that Charlie is part Cherokee (click here.)
Check out this copy of a deed Charlie showed me recently. It documents his grandfather Robert Hall receiving 100 acres from the Cherokee Nation and the US Department of the Interior in 1908. (Oklahoma became a state in 1907 following the official dissolution of the Cherokee Nation in 1906. The document is signed by the Secretary of Interior James Garfield whose father was President Garfield.) Bet Dr. Phil doesn’t have anything like that.
I am very thankful to and for everyone who chooses to walk thru the door and spend some time in Buzzy’s Country Store. However, when Charlie walks in, I find myself doubly appreciative that he is there. Charlie is at the top of my list as to folks I respect and enjoy listening to. Hence, I call him him the EF Hutton of my Buzzy friends – when he speaks, I listen.