June 6, 2016
May has been a very busy month for the Chaparral Retreat and Guesthouse and its owners, Andy and Linda Barrett. Just this past week visitors have come from Edmond, Wichita KS, and Denton, TX. Earlier in the month Watonga's local songbird, Katie Ballew, and her singing partner Kelly Potts, performed for a modest but very appreciative audience on a Sunday afternoon. The Chaparral Retreat is the venue for Oklahoma House Concerts, and the second group to play there in May was a trio from Nashville called "My Politic". Check them out on youtube.com! A honeymooning couple came to stay last weekend and experienced the beauty of nature at this quiet little paradise tucked behind fifty-year old trees. If you don't know what you are looking for as you go north on State Hwy 8A toward Roman Nose State Park, you'll miss it completely (look to your right for a wood fence and a rock sign). The place is a hidden gem and has an interesting history to go with it.
The third wave of color on the property are just now blooming: daylillies, coreopsis, canna lillies, moon flower, four-o'clocks, Indian blanket and other wildflowers. Mrs. Barrett gives short tours of the property to show children what they can grow to eat: basil, mint, rosemary, parsley, cilantro. The larger garden hosts tomatoes, squash, and green beans. Guests at the Retreat are able to hike along trails under the canopy of native trees on the property, or are directed to visit the state park just down the road where they can dip their feet in the cold natural springs there, learn about the native American history of the area, admire the amazing rock work of the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and eat at the recently-remodeled Lodge restaurant.
The Barrett family is involved in establishing a new "Health & Hunger Community Garden" in the town of Watonga, made possible by a collaboration between OSU's County Extension Service, the 1st United Methodist Church, and other community partners. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in maintaining the garden space, growing and harvesting fresh produce, and learning about chemical-free gardening and composting. For more information and to register to help with this project, contact Linda Barrett at 580-623-5269 or cell: 940-735-1065. Look for what's going on in the area on the Blaine Co. Community Events facebook page.
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