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2007 
STAR AWARDS January - Boise State Football Team (13-0 Record) - Boise, Idaho The Boise State team played with heart and determination to win the Fiesta Bowl. This team played my beloved Oklahoma Sooners who won the game on a last second trick play in the 2nd OT. They are true Champions and deserved to play for the National Championship Title. This ranks as one of the top NCAA football bowl games I witnessed in Glendale, Arizona. It was exciting and was a high caliber game for both teams. I will always remember this game. February - Little Guy Wrestler - Zack Carey - Florence, Montana For years, this wrestler has amazed fans in the stands with his determination & tenacity to wrestle. Zack has one arm and wrestles his opponents with a Big Heart and natural moves. His tenacity to wrestle despite his limitations is beyond words. In his eyes, he is not disabled and has been an inspiration to other wrestlers, coaches and spectators for many years. Zack had a fine showing in the Inter-Valley Wrestling & Regional & State Tournament. Zack is a good student who also plays football and baseball, Good Luck in all of your future endeavors. March - American Soldiers - United States of America This month has been a tough month for US forces fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We will dedicate one Black Star on our place to every soldier who has paid the ultimate price for our freedom with their life. Initially, I reserved 3500 stars for this effot, this number was recently increased this number to 4000. These Black Stars will line a path from one end of the property to the other and were made as a special Tribute for these GIs. For a list of names who are True American Heroes, click here to see list since May 1st, 2003. A We Honor Those Who Serve Flag will be placed on the lower part of our property in honor of all those who serve in the United States Armed Forces. We had two 30 foot solid steel flag poles made and white powder coated. It is our way of showing patriotism and honoring those still defending USA. Thanks to all who continue to serve and defend the Red, the White and Blue. May God Bless You! April - Okarche Warriorettes Basketball Team 1980-81 & 1981-82 This month, I dedicated our basketball court to the Lady Warriorettes who played on these teams. We hope in the future should any players visit the Big Sky country in the State of Montana that they will stop by our place and shoot some hoops. The 1981-82 team is a true inspiration to the next generation as this team went 31-0 and remains the only undefeated team who ever played in Okarche. The 1980 team started the true Warriorette tradition that remains in the spirit of each play every year. An etched bronze plaque of all of the names of the players with a star surrounding is present. Thanks to all of the fans and players for all of these memories over the years, these teams were awesome. May - Mr. Bill Colter, Superintendent Target Range Grade School This month, the Star Award goes to Mr. Bill Colter who has dedicated 37 years of his life to education and kids. At the end of this school year, he has decided to retire and spend more time with his family. Your personal commitment and support has helped so many kids over the past four decades. We just want to say THANK YOU and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. June - Mrs. Jackie Thorpe, Teacher - 37 Years Target Range Grade School This month the Star Award goes to Mrs. Jackie Thorpe. She has been teaching at Target Range for 30+ years. She said it time to finally retire even though she does not look as old as she is. She has taught three of our children and each one of them have had a positive and great learning experience. We would like to wish her well in her future endeavors as we think she is a league of her own. Good Luck! July - Miss Frances Thomas My Great Great Aunt 
Frances Thomas was born in Fletcher, Oklahoma in 1908 during the Oklahoma statehood and early pioneer years. She went to work as a telephone operator in her teens and retired with the original Southwestern Bell, now known as AT&T with 50+ years of service and became known to us as "Ma Bell". Little did we all know that both me and my sister would lead the way in the cell phone sector several years later. She is the oldest recipient to date. CONGRATULATIONS! She has been blessed with a long life and great family. August - Pacific Wildfire International Eric Helpenstell - Operations Manager 
The Pacific Wildfire crew helped protect our place in August, 2003 when Black Mountain started due to three lightning strikes that merged. It was one of the largest columns of smoke reaching 30K feet in the air and registering on the Air Traffic Control at Missoula International Airport. Without their help and dedication to protecting structures and safety of human life. Our estate would not be standing today. The advice that this crew gave us on protection and maintaing healthy trees has all been incorporated with one year left on our five year plan. The crew is always welcome. THANKS! September - Elaine Lawson  One of the neatest ladies I know is Elaine Lawson. She has been the sole pioneer for our family history for nearly 10 years. I have worked with her and provided information as my family still resides on the main Wittrock Estate, home to a family of 10. Her tenacity to research 15 generations and find information amazes me and her diligence to continue to provide accurate details is remarkable. For this, and your efforts, you are the Star Award winner for the month of September. Congratulations! Elaine Lawson Wins Honorable Mention  Thanks to Elaine Lawson for the beautiful flag print. She is a very talented beginner artist and recently won Honorable Mention for a European painting. I am thrilled to have this print placed in my house. I love flags and seem to have a patriotic flair and theme on the entire estate. Thank You and Good Luck with your career as an artist. You have a bright future ahead of you. JR October - Laura Bush First Lady of the United States 
She is one of my favorite ladies, from first lady of Texas to the White House. She has graced all around her with her gracefulness and sincerity. She has brought classiness back into this role as First Lady and is respected around the globe. She is first class, genuine and a great role model for so many. May God continue to bless her as she touches so many daily.  November - Mary Bertrand South's Finest Magnolia Artist Mary Bertrand is one of the South's reknown artists, known for painting the first Magnolia and flower oil paintings in the 70s and 80s that brought a rich color association to the South. She is married to Dudley and they have lived in West Monroe, Louisiana. She has been featured in Southern Living and many other publications and as being one of the first females to bring the South to life with her rich colors and her lovely gardens. She has inspired me to bring color to the great state of Montana. You are one of the elite in your field. Congratulations for inspiring so many newcomers in your field over the years! You are a remarkable Southern Lady. Star Award - December Bob & Minnilou Jessup Bob & Minnilou Jessup resided outside of Oklahoma City until their untimely deaths in December, 1993. Minnilou died on December 1st and Bob died on December 2nd and they both left a legacy worth remembering. Bob was a cattle buyer for my family for many years during the 70s, 80s & early 90s. He was responsible for the renovation of the OKC Stockyards and is in the Cowboy Hall of Fame for his efforts in the cattle industry. Minnilou was one of the elite antique dealers in the State of Oklahoma. I learned so much from her for so many years on markings and the value of silver. I started collecting silver butterdishes at a very young age and have one of the largest collections in the country. She encouraged me to collect in the Victorian era 1860's to 1895. I told her one day, my entire collection would be displayed in a plantation house for all to see. Minnilou was a one of kind unique lady with a dream and we got along very well. May God Bless Those Who Make A Difference!
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