In 1925 the official statewide convention of the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs was held in Norman, Oklahoma. Other posts on this web site detail the many fine festivities that were held during this session. At the conclusion, there were many praises heaped on our lodge and the Norman community. The Norman Transcript said “Delegates declared the convention here the best which has been held in recent years. J.T. Preskett, member of the Norman Encampment stated he had never seen such fraternal spirit as was shown at the Norman Session.” (The members of the Norman Encampment had been wearing pins that read “Ask me, I live here” to help out-of-town visitors get quick answers to questions about Norman.)

Meanwhile, Grand Encampment had the following resolution:

We, your committee on courtesies, beg to report as follows:
Whereas-the citizens of Norman, the members of the Norman encampment of I.O.O.F., and the members of the Rebekah lodge have worked incessantly to royally entertain delegates to the state convention of Odd Fellows,
And whereas-we have every assurance that each of us will be entitled to the full liberty of returning to our respective homes without danger of being retained in the Central State hospital:
Therefore, be it resolved that we extend our hearty and best wishes to the citizens and Odd Fellows of Norman for the pleasant and memorable time we have spent in their midst and we hope and trust that in all time to come the elements will be more kind to them than they were a few days ago.
By the committee, Frank Plato, chairman; R.H. Scoffield, past grand representative, B.A. Whittacker, T.W. Gartrell, Wallace Gibbs, R.M. Knight and James Smith.

The Radiophans (a column covering broadcasts on AM radio stations) section of the May 20, 1925 Norman Transcript, cleverly wrote:

This I.O.O.F. pow-wow is messing things up for Ray D. Owe. Many phans are “too busy with the convention to bother with the radio right now,” Never knew there were so many Odd Fellows and Rebekahs in town.

One thing is for sure; Norman’s hospitality cannot be matched!