Today is another very windy day, but at least it is warm -- 60 degrees and overcast. We really could use some rain but the last time I checked the forecast, the rain was going to bypass our area this week. Everyone around here is praying for some moisture.
After recovering from the real flu and taking
time to get my strength back over the holiday season, on Jan 15 I
challenged myself and went
out in 28 degree weather to give a hiking tour of the Three Springs area
at
Roman Nose State Park to two visitors from Norman, OK. Even in the winter, the scenery in the park is beautiful
and peaceful. I couldn't help but give a little history on the Park, talk about
the Native American culture and the Civilian Conservation Corp. Our faces were frozen by the time we finished
the hike from the Shelter to the swimming pool bath house and back up to the
parking lot. We drove to the Lodge and
walked down the hallway to look at the current and historical photographs. This part of Oklahoma really is special.
On Sunday, Jan 14, the first Oklahoma House Concert of the year was
held at the Chaparral Retreat. A young, sweet, and very talented
musician, Abbigale Dawn, from Norman, OK put us all under her spell with her
lovely lyrics and vocals. She was referred to our place by Oklahoma singer/songerwriter Dylan Stewart. Phoenix
Circle Foundation organizes these house concerts not only to support
musicians, but in the hopes that we will also be able to raise a few
dollars to go toward the Foundation's mission of bringing arts
opportunities and experiences to an underserved part of rural Oklahoma.
It is a win-win proposition for everyone - musicians, the Foundation,
the audience, and of course Andy and I. We win by getting exposure for
the BandB and by not having to drive an hour for entertainment and fun.
We so much appreciate the musicians who are willing to come out here,
and the people who come out for the concert. We already have several
concerts lined up for the first half of this year!
We've been busy with the Friends of Roman Nose State Park Assoc. and the new management at the park in organizing the annual Trout Derby, scheduled for the first weekend in March. The FORN group will be working with the Chamber of Commerce and we hope to have a good turn-out. Registration and prize information is available through the Chamber of Commerce.
The FORN group is also working on getting a reprint of the book by Dr. M.C. Weber, "Roman Nose State Park--A History" that the group sells as a fundraiser. The book is the essential guide to the history, geology, and culture of the Park.
We are excited to hear that the Chamber of Commerce has hired a new admin director, Teresa Ann France! That should mean some good things happening in Watonga in the coming year. The CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL BANQUET is scheduled for Feb. 5 at the high school. Tickets are available from the Chamber (or check their webpage or facebook page for information, prices, speakers, etc.). I am looking forward to hearing Teresa's vision for Watonga!
I know that Andy and I and Phoenix Circle Foundation have some plans for new and fun activities once we get the Arts Center open .... and on that front, we are thankful and happy that the Phoenix Circle Foundation has been awarded a grant from Keep Oklahoma Beautiful to put towards the redo of the building on Main Street that Andy has been working on all year. The money will allow us to finish the front of the building with new windows and an awning, and that will mean all of the storefronts on the northeast end of Main Street are attractive and have businesses in them. Once that is completed, Andy can then turn his attention to finishing the inside of the building. specifically to a heating and air conditioning system before the summer. I'll be looking for and requesting donations and grant money for that equipment and installation. I'll also be sending in a Press Release to our local newspaper in the next week or so to let the public know where the grant money is coming from -- a great organization called KEEP OKLAHOMA BEAUTIFUL that has lots of conservation, litter cleanup and recycling programs, and even art projects that repurpose, recycle, and reuse things that might otherwise be thrown away. The Okeene community has been involved with KOB for some time now and are using their resources to do some new things in Okeene that bring in visitors. I hope to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the local schools on a couple of these KOB projects to keep Watonga and the State Park looking good.
The road we live on, Hwy 8A, is only a couple of miles long and leads right into Roman Nose State Park. It is amazing to me how much trash and litter is thrown out of cars that use that road, both coming and going from the Park. When Dr. Max and Marjorie Barrett lived here, they walked along the easement every day and picked up trash from the roadsides for years. It was great exercise for them, and kept the highway free of litter that would otherwise be blown by the wind onto the properties of those who live along the highway. I think that would be a great project for a 4-H group or Boy Scout group, or even an after-school project for elementary and middle school youth.
We've been busy with the Friends of Roman Nose State Park Assoc. and the new management at the park in organizing the annual Trout Derby, scheduled for the first weekend in March. The FORN group will be working with the Chamber of Commerce and we hope to have a good turn-out. Registration and prize information is available through the Chamber of Commerce.
The FORN group is also working on getting a reprint of the book by Dr. M.C. Weber, "Roman Nose State Park--A History" that the group sells as a fundraiser. The book is the essential guide to the history, geology, and culture of the Park.
We are excited to hear that the Chamber of Commerce has hired a new admin director, Teresa Ann France! That should mean some good things happening in Watonga in the coming year. The CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL BANQUET is scheduled for Feb. 5 at the high school. Tickets are available from the Chamber (or check their webpage or facebook page for information, prices, speakers, etc.). I am looking forward to hearing Teresa's vision for Watonga!
I know that Andy and I and Phoenix Circle Foundation have some plans for new and fun activities once we get the Arts Center open .... and on that front, we are thankful and happy that the Phoenix Circle Foundation has been awarded a grant from Keep Oklahoma Beautiful to put towards the redo of the building on Main Street that Andy has been working on all year. The money will allow us to finish the front of the building with new windows and an awning, and that will mean all of the storefronts on the northeast end of Main Street are attractive and have businesses in them. Once that is completed, Andy can then turn his attention to finishing the inside of the building. specifically to a heating and air conditioning system before the summer. I'll be looking for and requesting donations and grant money for that equipment and installation. I'll also be sending in a Press Release to our local newspaper in the next week or so to let the public know where the grant money is coming from -- a great organization called KEEP OKLAHOMA BEAUTIFUL that has lots of conservation, litter cleanup and recycling programs, and even art projects that repurpose, recycle, and reuse things that might otherwise be thrown away. The Okeene community has been involved with KOB for some time now and are using their resources to do some new things in Okeene that bring in visitors. I hope to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the local schools on a couple of these KOB projects to keep Watonga and the State Park looking good.
The road we live on, Hwy 8A, is only a couple of miles long and leads right into Roman Nose State Park. It is amazing to me how much trash and litter is thrown out of cars that use that road, both coming and going from the Park. When Dr. Max and Marjorie Barrett lived here, they walked along the easement every day and picked up trash from the roadsides for years. It was great exercise for them, and kept the highway free of litter that would otherwise be blown by the wind onto the properties of those who live along the highway. I think that would be a great project for a 4-H group or Boy Scout group, or even an after-school project for elementary and middle school youth.
We're working on a House Concert in February (Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day???).
On March 1, Caroline Cotter and a special guest is coming to perform at the Chaparral Retreat, and on March 23, Mandy Rowden will be here for a House Concert. I'll post an "EVENT" on the OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERTS Group page for all upcoming activities as I finalize details. Anyone is welcome to join our Group page for Oklahoma House Concerts to get updated information.
WISHING ALL A HAPPY WEEKEND!!
Looking forward to comments on this post or by email at phoenixcir@yahoo.com !!
/Linda Barrett (Ed.)
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