Vinita Rotary "Great Balls of Fire"
Shortly after the Civil War, Joe Miller, Civil War Confederate Colonel moved from Kentucky to Newton, Missouri, a small town that was close to Carthage. Joe originally intended to move his family to California, but ran out of resources. Joe, following popular convention of naming ones siblings after famous people, named one of his sons Booth. Joe was a rebel. Joe decided he was going to go into business raising pigs to make salt pork to take to Texas to trade for cattle. Joe had a miserable time going through Fort Smith and then through the Ouachita Mountains loaded down with salt pork but made it to Texas and was able to trade the pork for cattle. Joe took a different route on his return, basically traveling what is now I-44 through the Vinita and Miami areas. Vinita has a rich history in the cattle business.
Joe Miller eventually started the 101 Ranch up by Ponca City. After a few cattle drives going up to Newton, Missouri (through Vinita), he found it was more profitable to head due north toward Kansas City on what became the Chisholm Trail. He could load the cattle onto trains in Kansas. Joe’s sons started the Miller Brother’s 101 ranch Wild West Shows. One of Joe’s sons, George, Miller was a Ponca City Rotarian.
AG Renie and Vinita Rotary President Robert Green |
Renie Doherty asked me if I wanted to go to Vinita on Saturday the 29th of August 2009. I heard the words "Catfish Fry" I was excited, this sounded fun. I emailed Renie and asked for directions and she let me know that it was not Catfish; the event was a "Calf Fry." In fact Vinita has the worlds largest. Renie said that might change my opinion of being excited about going. Well, I like beef, and knowing the history of the area I had no problems with the change of meat.
When I arrived at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita I could smell the fryers going. I was hungry so I bought my tasting kit and got in line looking forward to eating. It was a cool day with a few clouds; great for an outdoor even in August. The country music coming from the band on the stage sounded really good. Rennie found me waiting in line and came up to talk to me and with a grin let me know that Vinita Rotary had the best balls. I really didn't know what to make of what she was saying. I was really hungry and after waiting about 30 minutes in line was just about up to the first team and was getting ready for my first tasting. The gracious team put some breaded "calf fries" in my bowl and I happily tried it out.
I'm a little slow, but after having a few "calf fries" I noticed that the texture was not anything like any beef I had before and it didn't seem like veal either. I looked behind me and I saw that there were a lot of folks in line and waiting to taste this Vinita delicacy. I decided that it couldn't bad if all these people were willing to wait 30 to 40 minutes for their first taste, so I smiled to myself and continued on.
From: Bob Green [mailto:bob.green@arrowheadok.com] WE WON!!! This was the 30th year for the event. Rotary always enters. We have finished 2nd twice including last year. And have won the People’s Choice award several times. This was our first Championship Calf Frying Team of the World award AND we won the People’s Choice award. Somewhat of a rarity. Afterwards one of the organizer’s came by and said it wasn’t even close in either category. As an aside we had about twice as many Rotarians working the booth as we usually have plus spouses and kids. What a great time! Thanks for taking your time for you and your husband to join us. I took a bunch of pictures and Angie took pictures for the paper of us getting the trophies. This is a Chamber fund raiser and we do it to support the Chamber and to have fun and bragging rights. No money. But we did a t.v. raffle that one of the members donated and raised $300.00 that will go to the Backpack Program. And, we had so many requests about our sign that Jandra made that we auctioned it of at the end for $120.00 and split that with the Chamber. This was started as a fun event and advertised as the World’s Largest Calf Fry event. We were challenged by one in France but have actually have some of their representatives come to our and confirm ours is bigger. I know some years we will bring in 10,000 people to the event. Do not have this years count yet. Great Balls of Fire, Baby!!!!
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What a fun event. Vinita has a rich heritage with the cattle industry and it was fun to be part of the celebration. I only regret that I had to get back to Tulsa and did now have time to stay and watch the Rodeo!
Vinta Calf-fry Slideshow
http://www.vinitarotary.org/calffry.html
http://www.vinita.com/calf_fry.html
http://www.bigcountryweekend.com/calf_fry.html
steve reid
