When asked if she knew that Arizona had an official state neckwear, and, if so, what might it be, Gov. Janet Napolitano paused then exclaimed "bola tie" during the unannounced pop quiz. Correct pronunciation and everything.

Next question: Would she consider reinstituting Arizona Bola Tie Week?

"I don't know," Napolitano retorted. "Are there any strings attached?"

The society's youngest member is 59. The oldest, 96-year-old Russel S. Swing, rarely misses a meeting. He is so proud about his seniority that his bola tie centerpiece is a $20 gold coin from 1908, the year he was born.

At this meeting, the Bola Tie Society had another bonus besides the extra table: a new member, 88-year-old John Brimmer. Brimmer's reason for joining — he practically goes to bed wearing his bola tie — made him a perfect fit at the monthly buffet.

Bill Close, the only charter member who is still a member, also attended. The bola tie is the legendary local news anchor's trademark; on camera he always wore a bola tie. He has accumulated hundreds. The ones given to him by viewers prove that just about anything can be made into a bola tie.

Close, 83, spoke under his breath, somewhat affectionately about these oddball ties.

"Some old fart in Globe would take a piece of plywood and cut it to resemble the state of Arizona; one was a moose turd encased in plastic or a small rattlesnake in plastic, and lots of scorpions; one was a big rock I wore on a newscast one day," Close said.

"I had a sore neck it was so heavy."