Archive for the ‘Medicine Park’ Category

"Blue, Blue Christmas"

[Sony A700 | CZ 16-18 | 16mm | f8 | 2 sec | ISO 640 | 3 images, tonemapped]

I like looking at Christmas lights.  I like looking at Christmas lights, a lot!  That’s why driving to Medicine Park to see the lights on Christmas night 2011, made sense and felt “right”.  It had been a good day, because it was, after all, Christmas Day!  A lot has to be overlooked on this day, just because; just because.  And that’s why standing in a light rain on a winter night taking pictures of Christmas lights is an okay thing to do.  And I wasn’t the only one, either.  It was surprising the number of people who showed up just as I did to capture a few quick shots for scrapbooks and memories.  Most were only brief moments, quick dashes, and hurried poses.  And then, there I was, smiling and remembering times gone by while waiting patiently, camera on tripod, for a less hurried appreciation.  Oh, Cristmas lights, Oh Christmas lights, how brightly you do shine!

Herbie

[Sony A700 | CZ 135/1.8 | f1.8 @ 1/500 | ISO 6400 | handheld]

Only a week ago, wildfires threatened the survival of Medicine Park.  Past perils and hardships have not destroyed the determined spirit of Medicine Park residents.  This past 4th of July weekend they carried on with their 103rd Birthday Celebration.  All firework displays were canceled due to the extreme drought and 100+ temperatures across all of Southwest Oklahoma, but that didn’t stop the celebration in Medicine Park.  Live bands were performing throughout the weekend.  I checked the schedule of performances to see who would be there Sunday night.  Scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, was “The Brothers Dupree”, and then at 9:00 PM, was someone called “Miss Blues”.  I had never heard of them so I Googled the name and “missblues.com” showed up.  After scanning quickly through the site, I knew I’d have to drive out to hear Miss Blues.

It was worth the drive and a lot more!  Unbelievably good and incredibly entertaining is the best way I can describe it.  Miss Blues is 76 years old and has been singing the blues for 68 years.  The band she fronted this evening was comprised of some of the best musicians I have heard in one group.  They were amazing.  The group of assembled to hear Miss Blues was small but what it lacked in size, it made up in appreciation.  It didn’t take long for everyone realized this was a rare treat for Southwest Oklahoma.  In fact, Mike Cappucio, a member of The Brothers Dupree, stayed for the performance and may have appreciated these performers more than anyone.  They were only scheduled to play a couple of hours, but I left at 12:45 AM, and Miss Blues was still going strong.

WHAT A SHOW!  WOW, WOW, WOW!

(more pictures to follow shortly)

Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy have a unique sound.

Erin came to visit Mike and me over the Memorial Day Weekend.  Every Memorial Day Weekend, Medicine Park reverberates with the sound of Red Dirt Music during the “Mayor’s Red Dirt Ball”.  After examining the list of bands performing over the weekend, my bet was that the best music would be heard Sunday evening.  Two groups were were scheduled to perform, Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy, 7:00–9:00 PM, and Brandon Jenkins, 9:30–11:30 PM.

We pulled into the old Medicine Park High School baseball field about 7:20 PM, and had no difficulty finding a parking spot.  From there, we only needed to walk the 300 yards, or so, down a blacktopped street and across the old bridge spanning Medicine Creek to be at Medicine Park’s “Main Stage”.  As we walked, we listened to the sound of music carried on the refreshing evening breeze. Read the rest of this entry »

[Sony A700 | CZ 135/1.8 | 1/6400 @ f3.5 | ISO 640]

Col. Hannibal Smith, played by George Peppard in the TV series “The A-Team”, would often say, “I love it when a plan comes together!”  I can’t claim that yesterday evening was planned, but everything sure came together making for a very nice experience.

It all began when I walked through the door of the “Winery of the Wichitas”, a unique small business, located off Hwy. 49, atop a hill overlooking Medicine Park and just a mile, or so, from the eastern entrance to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.  It’s a winery, and as such they offer up glasses of the wines they craft; it’s an art gallery where local artists can show their work; it’s a restaurant called “Buffalo Bistro” and Mark and Randy Reeves play smooth jazz on Saturday night from 7:00 to 10:00.  Now, you must admit, that’s a combination that holds promise.

I go there often for the food, art, and music, in that order.  It’s not a place where “everyone knows my name”, but enough do to make it homey.  The  “Buffalo Bistro’s” menu is small but unique.  It was designed by executive chef, Anna Banda, who earned her credentials at Coach House.  Everything I have eaten, has been excellent, and the portions plentiful; most times, I leave food on my plate.  On this evening, the inside dining area was full, so I followed the path across the floor and through the door leading to the large split-level deck outside.  I was delighted to see the table with the brightly colored ceramic tile top empty; it’s my favorite even though it wobbles at least a half inch (I swear I’m going to fix that someday).  Located on the upper deck, in an out of the way corner, and only a table for two, it suits me perfectly. Read the rest of this entry »

Sonny Nevaquaya plays at Medicine Park's 102 B-Day Bash

“59 & 102″

What do they have in Common?

Medicine Park and I both celebrated our birthdays on Saturday, July 10.  For Medicine Park it was their 102nd, having been founded on July 4, 1908, and for this Baby Boomer it was my 59th.  Well, since I consider my “birth day” as the most important day of my life, I make it a personal celebration whether anyone else gives a hoot, or not!  Since it occurs most often during the work week, I always take leave on my birthday.  This means I nearly always spend the day by myself, but that’s okay because this is something special I do for myself; it’s a gift to myself.  However, when my day falls on the weekend and there’s a big celebration going on somewhere, I’m not opposed to glomming on and letting someone else help me celebrate.  Well, with Medicine Park celebrating its 102nd Birthday Bash, six days late,  on Saturday, July 10, and Sherry offering to take me out to dinner for my 59th, I couldn’t let such an opportunity go to waste.  (Oh by the by, did I mention the best birthday gift I’ve ever received was when my son, Brandon, was born on my birthday in 1978?  I mean, after that everything else falls short… right?) Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas Lights Reflect in the waters of Bath Lake

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