Old Plantation Medicine Park Fair

event post from Muriel
Saturday......Saturday......July 26th
11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
So just where do you want to be this Saturday? How about the Medicine Park Town Fair. Everybody's going to be there. Live music, play spaces for the kids, refreshements and plenty of town businesses and organizations.

For those looking to gather information on what the town has to offer, this is the place to be. The Medicine Park Marauders and the Medicine Wagon, Larry & Linda Morefield and the Cobblestone Forge Wagon. Come celebrate the Grand reopening of Medicine Park's historic and loved place to gather The Old Plantation.
Event is being organized by Melodie Vise. To contact her for more info click her name.

Long Time No Hear - Jann Williams

Photo Courtesy Hank Sabine Family

As a response to my query for history on Medicine Park I received this nice reply. So all you forever Parkies, Jann would like to hear from you! Not everyone is on the internet so if you would let other long time citizens know about Jann's post. Thanks.....

My name is Jann Williams (Applegate). I just posted on your blog/timeline but I don't know if it will come across. I was a resident of MP back in the 1950-1960s. My friends (Marilyn Callaway (Cosgrove) of Callaways grocery on the hill) and Pat Kelly (Young) are looking to contact people of our days (1950s and 1960s). We have an abundance of memories. We all went to Medicine Park School, I have a picture of my 8th grade graduation class (10 people in 7th and 8th grade, which were together) We are thinking we would like to have some type of reunion next year of old parkies.. I can only find one person I know that is still there- Buddy Dye. If anyone is interested they can email me at this email. Jann@pplegate

Also I have added Medicine park School to www.Classmates.com for anyone who would like to register.

Medicine Park History Time Line

.....a special request from Muriel

Last week a group of high school students came in from Wichita Falls. It was pouring and the Marauders had waited in the rain but they decided the bus probably wouldn't come in the rain and went home. I had second thoughts and said to my husband what would it hurt to check and see if they made it. They had. And, of course, Odus Hennessee came and brought smiles to their faces with the Possum song. Michael and I were able to at least give them bits and pieces of the Park's History which made me think that Medicine Park ought to have a timeline available for people to read. I realized then that I needed to learn more and needed to share with others our history. In our collection was a fourth generation copy of an article written in 1992 by an OU student on the Medicine Park history which I have scanned in to the computer. Much of the type was faint or broken up the OCR did strange interpretations so there was lot to clean up.

There has been many changes since 1992 that we need to fill in those details. So please send me some details of when certain things happened. I need the "what, the when and the who". Know that I will be requesting info from specific folks. If you have articles that tell the story I can use my scanning software to bring in the information.

I will be adding images to the time line thanks to our postcard collection we have accumulated and images that others have let us use. I no longer want to find things on the internet saying Medicine Park was "once" a resort. Medicine Park is a resort and a home town.

Send info to Muriel. Thanks in advance.

Jeff Dixon Shoots the Medicine Show

Hard Luck Hattie and the Sob Sisters

When we have events in the Park the Lawton Constitution is there to capture the moment. The Centennial was no exception. I continue to be impressed with their creative photo journalists. Jeff Dixon was out and about snapping photos. The cool thing now is you can order photos that appear in the paper plus a few that didn't. There are actually 3 photos of the Medicine Show/ Wagon Camp. CLICK HERE to go to the PRINTROOM. Click Galleries and July 5th to view. High quality prints in different sizes and finishes available as well as getting you mug on a mug.
I ordered couple for the Marauders.

Thanks Jeff and Jeff's boss for allowing us to post this fun shot.

The Masters Kitchen Pizza, Pasta, Breakfast and More!

Aren't we the lucky ones, 5 cool restaurants inside in the Park. The newest to open is The Master's Kitchen located at the 49 and East Lake Y. Owned by Medicine Park's own Tony & Joyce Garcia, The Master's Kitchen is family owned and run. You'll be sure to meet the kids...James, Danielle and Anna working there. Martin Graham is your breakfast chef responsible omelets any way you like them. And jumping in when the need her is Joy Willingham (mom) our local muralist.

Hours are 7 to 11 breakfast, 11:00 to 2:00 lunch, 4:30 to 8:30 dinner or later if you call ahead to say you will be later. 529-3939. Closed Sunday and Monday. Take out available. Delivery Friday and Saturday nights. What more can you ask. How about...Joyce goes over the top with 25 different flavors of tea.

My schedule has not allowed me a chance to stop by for a bite. I will of course, but since I have been hearing the positive buzz about the restaurant from so many Park folk I want to give you all a chance to comment.

So tell the Medicine Park Post what your favorite The Master's Kitchen dish is!
Click the comment area and let us know what you think.

Weekend Photographers

Professional photographer John Kelly got some great photos of swimmers, ducks, blacksmiths, bands. He got a few behind the scene pictures of the Medicine Show. Here's what he didn't capture (you can't be everywhere!).....Fireworks, Actors on Stage, Ice Cream Social, Special Award winners, Winner of the Treasure Hunt and Old Fashioned picnic. I already posted the few of the picnic we got. So if you got some of these priceless moments and you don't mind us posting them (with credit of course) please email jpg or gif images to the Park Posts.


Photo courtesy of John Kelly. If you wish to use photo you must first request permission from John Kelly. A printed version can be made available for a charge from John.

Its All Over the Evening News

Medicine Park Centennial received at least 3 minutes of fame on Channel 7. Fine article with pictures in the Lawton Constitution. Pick up a copy and read all about. See you at the Medicine Show.

100 Year Celebration in Medicine Park

post by Muriel Fahrion

the Fahrions in vintage clothes...Model T courtesy Scottie and Dan Davis
In 1923 it was reported that Medicine Park, OK received over 200,000 visitors, half of those coming from Texas. Back in the 1990’s only a few (some thought foolhardy) believed that Medicine Park could regain any of the popularity that accompanied the glory days. But on this Day, July 4th 2008 more joined the ranks of believers as a happy lot of visitors wandered from one venue to the next.

This includes Rickey Medlocke, lead guitarest of Lynyrd Skynyrd.. who chose Pegi and Clark Brown’s Stardust Inn as a place to relax before his big show at Ft. Sill. The Brown couple, originally from San Francisco, California, had seen more than their share of Rock and Roll concerts so as true fans they were delighted to have their renowned guest. Click to read more about Rickey Medlocke’s visit.


Family Time Picnic


Vyke gives a lesson in flingy construction


Lynn from Alaska and MP friend Colleen Jazz it up

Our Centennial Old Fashioned Picnic was the kick off. At 8:30 AM Lee Hibbetts directed over a dozen volunteers as they moved table and chairs. Residents came with covered dishes, a few dressed in costumes of different eras. Both new Parkies and long time residents joined in. Vyke McEwen helped children and adults make old fashioned “Flingies”. A fun toy that gave hours of enjoyment. While Mike McEwen used the bullhorn to bring in guests to the picnic. Although our guest didn’t have bring a covered dish offering they dropped in a donation for the next picnic. Described as “Simple Pleasure” of that bygone era it nice addition to the Medicine Park list of events.

Phyllis and Candace Serves up the Mayor Copes famous barbeque

A light breeze wafted over Medicine Creek at the Park Tavern as the Usual Suspects brought the music which included a harmonica solo of the Star Spangled Banner. And yes, the patrons stood duing the playing. With 9:30 and the “BIG” fireworks quickly approaching it was time to take a stance on where to best see the display. Michael and I headed for the hills. The Winery that is.

There was a moment on the deck of the Winery of the Wichitas while listening to Lex and Phil and watching fireworks go off in three directions that I overheard a visitor remark that they felt they were at the right place at the right time. I smiled to myself knowing that just about any time … Medicine Park is the right place.

Scottie and Grandson do some flag waving

Big Rock Stars Stays in Small Town

just in from Clark and Pegi Brown from the Stardust Inn.....

We had the good fortune of having a very special guest stay with us last night, Rickey Medlocke, lead guitarist with Lynyrd Skynyrd. As you know they are playing on the 4th at the Fort Sill Polo Fields. Rickey decided to come in a day early so he could visit his Aunt and all his cousins in Meers. As we talked over coffee this morning he told us many stories including one about his incredible guitar collection. He has over 50 electric guitars including Buddy Holly's original Gibson he purchased from Buddy's relatives. Included in his collection are some 50 additional musical instruments that include his baby banjo that he learned to play on at age 3. His grandfather, the late Shorty Medlocke was a well known blues player who taught him how to play.

Rickey originally played drums for LS in the 70's and then formed the band "Blackfoot" and focused on his guitar playing. In 1996 Lynyrd Skynyrd asked Rickey to come back as lead guitar and he has been with them ever since. He is an incredibly gracious person with a great personality and a strong love for the Wichitas and has been coming here for years to visit relatives. His parting words were"He loves Medicine Park and the Stardust" and he will be back.

Thanks, Clark

BIG BIG BIG CENTENNIAL WEEKEND

This is like no other event Medicine Park has ever had old fashioned picnic with games for kids, ice cream social, Music, music, music, Medicine Show, Marauders, Contests and Fireworks of course. Yes if you can’t have fun here you don’t know how to have fun!
Take for instance the Marauder Treasure Hunt our town merchants are putting on. (Okay I’d love for everyone to participate since I created the contest.) Family fun for sure. And your name will be put in the raffle where someone will win $100. Enter by finding the Marauders Posters at the local shops. And you just gotta take a chance on the Great Duck Race. Benefits help our VFD and Police.

The Medicine Show, another family favorite, features new acts, new songs, new actors along with some of your favorites. The show has plenty of new twists and turns for side splitting fun! Of course the Marauders’ will do a bang up job as always with some tricks up their sleeves. We decided to move Wagon Camp to Town Center right across from the 8 foot Chance McQuacken.

So come one come all and help celebrate Medicine Park's Big One.