Firefighter & Police Appreciation Day

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Medicine Park Summer Restoration

post Muriel Fahrion, photo Michael Fahrion

As most of our readers know Medicine Park was hit with a devastating fire on June 23rd and 24th. Fortunately the historic downtown was not impacted. Now a month later the residents that had sustained damage are picking themselves up from the ashes. They are having work done on their places, cleaning, restoring, tidying up while some folks, that sadly lost their homes, are making plans for building new homes. From personal experience it is a tough road to go being wakened by the sound of hammers tapping on our chamber walls in the wee, not so hot, hours of the morning. But we are pleased that our dedicated team of restorers are working so hard to get us back to where we were before the fire. Ft. Sill and insurance companies have been out to assess the damage. The U.S. Forest Service are visiting with the people who have had their land scorched informing them know how to avoid erosion after the fire. Note: You must call and make an appointment to have this done.

In Town Center several houses have been and are being erected over the foundations of the original cobblestones in keeping with the vintage look of the Park. Other places not on the original foundations are being built with a look appropriate to the town's history. Planning and Preservation reviews plans for all new builds and historic restorations.

Center Stage on East Lake has been given a finishing coat of sealer a reminder that the Mayor's Blues Ball is not too far off. Meanwhile Bath Lake is busy from early morning to late at night with locals and visitors taking cooling dips. And we are still here to walk our dogs along the beautiful Charley Wright Creekside trail.

Deborah Rizzo Karaoke Owner Passes Away

Deborah Claudia Rizzo passed away Sunday, July 17, 2011, in Lawton.
Medicine Park got to know Debbie from her Karaoke business but she soon made many friends in Medicine Park because of her outgoing, fun loving, personality. Debbie was known to volunteer whenever she could to help the community.
Our sympathy goes out to her family and friends.

She was born July 9, 1956, in Paterson NJ, to Sergio Joseph Rizzo and Minna Winter. She moved to Oklahoma in1992 her then husband Tom (they later divorced). She was a talented singer and owner of Rizzo Productions Karaoke from 1995 until her death. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends. She also enjoyed singing and taking care of her animals.

She is survived by: her father: Joe and his wife Bonnie, Hilton, NY; a son: Donald and his wife Linda, Dayton, OH; a daughter: Angela and her husband, Billy, Elgin, OK; a sister: Tammy, Rochester, NY, seven grandchildren: one great-grandchild, many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. And two "special sisters" Cynthia, Medicine Park, Ok and Pam, Fletcher, Ok. She was preceded in death by: her Mother: Minna; and her two brothers: Frank and Peter.

Memorial Service will be at 11 AM, Thursday at The Chapel On The Rock in Medicine Park. Get together following the service at Les and Dora's on Rte 49. Covered dish to share would be greatly appreciated.

Larry Morefield Passes Away

Larry Morefield, blacksmith artist, Director Of Radiology, Medicine Park Marauder, husband, father, grandfather, good friend and neighbor long time resident of Medicine Park, passed away July 12, 2011.

Memorial Service

Saturday July 16^th 10:00 AM

Minco Church of Christ

520 NW Main St, Minco, OK 73059

Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home

301 SW 4th Street

Minco, OK 73059

"When they lay me down to rest

Put my spurs and rope upon my

chest Get my friends to carry me

and then go turn my horses free"

One of Medicine Parks most loved citizens, Larry Morefield, passed away Tuesday morning. Among all the hats he wore his favorite, undoubtedly, was the cowboy hat he donned as outlaw Slim in the Medicine Park Marauders. He was one of the founders of the group and remained the heart of the Marauders for over 10 years. In his profession he worked as director of radiology at Grady Memorial but he will be remembered for so many other things: his love of God, family, community, history of the old west, his artistry in blacksmithing and his belief in hard honest work. I have dedicated this post about him though his life deserves a book.

“Talk slowly, think quickly.”
The secret to the Marauder’s appeal is in the part that each Marauder plays in the skit being acted in the street. Larry was the master of serendipity. When you saw that twinkle in his eye and he said, “I have an idea” you knew he had hatched another delightful original scenario that would have people breaking up with laughter. He was also most agreeable to ideas that sprung off his, as he was known for saying “That’ll work”. You’d be crazy not to take part in his hi-jinx. He stayed in his character of an uneducated but street-smart outlaw to the delight of the audience and his fellow players.

“Give us Direction; the best of goodwill; Put us in touch with fair winds. Sing to us softly; hum the evening's song. Tell us what the blacksmith has done for you”. ~ Jethro Tull (March 30, 1674 - )

Larry Morefield was a member of the Salt Fork Crafters, a group that keeps the old art of blacksmithing alive. When I was designing for my Will Roger’s dimensional artwork it was Larry who said he would create the Roger’s miniature branding iron. He was commissioned to create tables, pot racks, candlesticks and more. Authenticity was important to him as he built western wagons and added his forged iron works. He won awards for his work and was known all over the Southwest for his ingenuity and mastery of the art.

“Its not what you put on your head and feet that make you a cowboy…. its what’s in your heart.”

There were a thousand acts of friendship and generosity that Larry never bragged about. He did demonstrations in blacksmithing and answered questions from the onlookers and paid special attention to the curious young. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer it was Larry that helped him understand what lie ahead in chemo treatment. As any of the women that played in Marauders will attest he was there to help them get up on the wagons or tote anything that may have been heavy, he was a gentleman cowboy and yes even presented our director with flowers for producing a great show. And he had a subtle way of herding Marauders when they needed it the most. Ask anyone who knew him and they will tell you a story of what Larry meant to them.

Our hearts go out to what he treasured the most, his wife Linda, their children, Jay and his wife Tammy, Natalie and her husband Ray, Heather and his grandchildren.

If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God. ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

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Sign of the Times

photo courtesy Lulabelle's