It all started in 1960, when this area was still open range, with 20 cabins and a small café. The first improvement to the Fin and Feather Lodge was building a fence to keep the cows out and then spraying for ticks. Les and Jerrie Manns bought the Fin and Feather with the idea they would fix it up a little and sell it. Little did they know it would someday become an Oklahoma institution.

Today the resort is known nationwide. We now offer 83 lodging units for our guests to choose from, and our dining room seats up to 250 people.  In looking back, our first smorgasbord served 17 people.  As a way to draw more people to the restaurant during the week, we added the Hawaiian Luau buffet on Tuesday nights. The concept went over so well with our guests and staff that we’ve since added different themes for each night of the week.  Many of the recipes used in the buffets are Jerrie’s. Some she collected from friends, and many are recipes that evolved from our kitchen.

As a family owned and operated resort for more than 40 years, we delight in the many friendships we’ve made with our guests over the years. So perhaps it’s not surprising that the most common questions we hear concern our own family members — namely, who we are and what we do at The Fin.

Here, then, is a quick rundown of who’s who in the Fin and Feather family:

Bill — Les and Jerrie’s son-in-law
Bill has a degree in electrical engineering from Oklahoma State University.  In addition to fixing whatever needs attention, he also handles all of the Fin’s payroll and accounts, serves as matri’ d in the dining room, runs the water plant, and much more.  Bill enjoys antique tractors and singing in his church choir.  In January 1996, he remarried.  His wife’s name is Pat.

Lezli — Bill and Bonnie’s daughter, Les and Jerrie’s granddaughter, Steve’s wife, and mom to Zach, Lucy and Eli 
As someone who has been at the Fin since she was 3 years old, it should come as no surprise that Lezli has a degree in hotel and restaurant administration from Oklahoma State University.  Lezli can be found in the office and gift shop areas, answering your calls for reservations and checking you in and out.  In addition, she oversees the dining room, housekeeping, and gift shop and office staffs.

Steve — Lezli’s husband and dad to Zach, Lucy and Eli
Steve has a degree in hotel and restaurant administration from Oklahoma State University (in fact, he and Lezli met over a sink of potatoes in foods lab) and also continuing education hours from the Culinary Institute of America.   He can be found in the kitchen where he is the Foodservice Director.  Anything that has to do with food, Steve is in charge.  So if you’re one of our thousands of guests who gets a sudden craving for the undeniable taste of our legendary cheese fries or Texas toothpicks days after you’ve left the Fin, you know who to blame!  In addition to being our resident comic, Steve is a nationally registered paramedic.

Stan — Steve’s brother, Teresa’s husband, and dad to Tanner and Frannie
You will find Stan almost everywhere at the Fin.  His versatility is evident and includes serving as the Matri’ d in the dining to room, helping out in the kitchen, and overseeing all maintenance on the property.  Like Steve, Stan holds a degree in hotel and restaurant administration from Oklahoma State University and has continuing education hours from the Culinary Institute of America.  He also continues to further his education with classes in both mechanical and electrical air conditioning.   

Teresa — Stan’s wife, mom to Tanner and Frannie
Teresa’s many years of experience as an executive assistant has proven invaluable in her duties behind the front desk and on the phone.  Teresa works with Lezli in the office/gift shop taking reservations, checking guests in and out, and supervising employees. 

Marie — Les’s second wife
Marie has worked at the Fin for 25 years.  She works with Lezli and Teresa in the office handling reservations and tends to the stocking and organizing of our great selection of products in the gift shop.  Marie won’t tell her age, but she is a remarkable great-grandmother and is a very busy Mimi.