By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
It’s something that’s been discussed and planned for decades, but never come to fruition as interest has ebbed and flowed.
Now, it appears the idea of creating a public monument celebrating Oxford’s historical connection to the Lone Ranger character could finally become a reality.
Local artist Laura Gabriel, a 1980 Oxford High School graduate, submitted a proposal to create a bronze relief sculpture depicting the fictional masked lawman and Brace Beemer, the Oxford man who portrayed him.
‘It would be something that would be there for my children and my children’s children,? said Gabriel, who lives in Orion Township and has a studio in Lake Orion.
Beemer was the distinctive, booming voice of the Lone Ranger on coast-to-coast radio from 1941-54. He lived in Oxford Township from 1942 until his death in 1965.
Gabriel proposed sculpting a relief that would be 6 feet tall, 4 feet wide and approximately 2 inches thick. The initial sculpting would be done in clay, then cast in bronze.
Although she’s been sculpting for a number of years, she admitted this would be her very first piece of public art.
‘To me, this is kind of scary and fun,? Gabriel said. ‘Any excuse to get (my hands) in clay, I’m good. I love to create.?
Gabriel was approached about the monument by Joe Kent, an Addison Township resident who lives in the 1960s house built for J.D. Beemer, son of Brace Beemer.
Kent believes it’s ‘a shame? the passage of time has caused entire generations to lose touch with who the Lone Ranger character is and all the timeless values and noble qualities he embodies.
‘Those values shouldn’t be allowed to fall by the wayside,? he said. ‘I think it’s time for a bronze likeness of Beemer and the Lone Ranger in Oxford. A high-quality (monument) would be something for people to take pride in. It would also educate everyone about the Lone Ranger in a fun way.?
Kent sought out Gabriel because she’s not only an accomplished sculptor, she’s an Oxford native.
‘The local connection was perfect,? he explained. ‘I approached her and we kicked around some ideas. She became very enthusiastic and worked hard on developing the concept into art.?
Gabriel never expected to be asked to take on such a high-profile project.
‘It was a total surprise,? she said. ‘Honestly, it’s an honor and a challenge. I like challenges. I like to learn.?
Gabriel’s artistic endeavors began when, as a high school student, she painted a mural for the junior high.
She later took a break from her artwork to get married and start a family. She returned to it about 15 years ago and has worked in a variety of mediums include oils, watercolors, mixed media, metal, stone, pencils, ink and clay.
‘I do everything,? Gabriel said. ‘You name it, I’ve done it.?
Her passion is sculpting.
‘It is definitely my main love,? Gabriel said. ‘I got my hands in clay and I was hooked, totally hooked. I never left.?
‘It’s kind of like playing with mud pies except you’re creating something pretty or beautiful,? she continued. ‘It’s very soothing. When I get in (my studio), I lose track of time and I have so much fun. If it doesn’t work out, you smash it and you start again.?
Gabriel spent years studying under two master sculptors in Michigan ? Jay Holland and Janice Trimpe.
Holland taught sculpture at the College for Creative Studies for 34 years before retiring in 1998.
Trimpe is best known for creating the iconic bronze sculpture of a Mackinac Bridge ironworker. It was dedicated in 2007 for the 50th anniversary of the bridge’s opening.
Sculpting isn’t just a way for Gabriel to express herself as an artist, it also helps her deal with the trials and tribulations of life.
‘It makes bad things go away,? she said. ‘In my job, I don’t see the nicest things. I don’t meet the nicest people. I see things I don’t want to remember.?
Gabriel has worked for Oakland County Animal Control for the past 34? years. She started out cleaning kennels and has spent the last 27 years as an animal control officer.
She plans to retire next year.
Although she loves getting ‘to play with the animals? and ‘right wrongs? by rescuing them from situations where they are abused and/or neglected, sometimes the job and its more tragic aspects get to her.
‘It kind of haunts you,? she said.
That’s when sculpting helps heal her mind and spirit. ‘All my troubles from work or home, just go away,? Gabriel said. ‘When I get (my hands) into clay, it all disappears. It’s my therapy. It really is.?
Old radio programs are often playing in the background while she works in her studio. The Shadow, Bob Hope and of course, the Lone Ranger are among her favorites.
‘I find them very amusing,? she said. ‘My dad really loved the Lone Ranger and all the old shows. He would get those for us when I was growing up. He was the one that introduced me to the Lone Ranger.?
If Gabriel is commissioned to sculpt the Lone Ranger bronze relief, she estimated it would take ‘anywhere from six months to a year? to complete.
‘It’s a very detailed thing,? she said. ‘It’s an outdoor piece and I want it to be right.?
Fund-raising for the Lone Ranger monument effort would have to continue in order to make the sculpture a reality.
The monument fund currently has approximately $7,400 in it and Gabriel quoted a price of $30,340 in her proposal. That includes supplies, materials, artist’s fee and foundry and fabrication costs.
‘Now, we just need help in raising money and finding a suitable location,? Kent said.
If all goes well, he would like to see the finished product unveiled ‘shortly before? the 2016 Lone Ranger parade. ‘It seems very realistic and quite exciting,? Kent said.

Festival alert!
Downtown Oxford will celebrate its Third Annual Lone Ranger Festival and Parade on Saturday, Aug. 1.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a classic car show, kids activities, a variety of vendors, food and beverage stations, live entertainment, a beer tent, a pie-eating contest and an opportunity to play horseshoes.
The parade will roll through the downtown along M-24 beginning at 11 a.m. So far, there are 72 entries signed up.