Category Archives: Oklahoma culture

EPTOM: What is a Sonic ID? Why do we care?

rachel selfie sonic id storyFive minutes into our meeting with Rachel Hubbard of KOSU, I had almost finished my oatmeal.  I glanced at Rachel Apple sitting next to me, and she had barely started her flaxseed banana bar.  She was listening.

(see photo at left: Rachel Apple)

Rachel Apple, my daughter and partner in the “Every Point on the Map” (EPOTM) project, excels at listening.  Her large brown eyes fixate on the source of information, and there is no breaking that “listening-beam.”  At this moment, her listening beam was directed toward Hubbard talking about the art of sound gathering.  And, about “Sonic IDs.

Sonic IDs are a format developed by Atlantic Public Media.  They are a derivative of the wildly popular Moth Radio Hour, only very very brief.  Generally, 60 seconds or less.

Public radio stations have begun to use them for small fillers between regular spots.  They’re stories told at “sonic” speed.  And, they were the initial thought Hubbard had when she considered how we might partner with KOSU once we begin our journeys.

We learned about particular microphones we might order and attach to our iPhones.  We learned that video files can be used for audio files if necessary.  We learned that the new KOSU studio on Historic Film Row in Oklahoma City has a cool vibe.  And, we learned that there might be something of value we could share on the radio from our project.

That’s what Sonic IDs are.  That’s why we care.  And here’s how you can help us raise our last $450 dollars in the next 62 hours to fund our project…so we can begin sound gathering.  And listening.

[kelly] and Rachel “Listening Beam” Apple

EPOTM: Good News, Bad News, Medium News, and Newsy-News

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Happy news: we’re 78% of our goal. Scary news: we have 4.5 days left in our campaign! (CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE yo dollahs!)

Medium news: our meeting with KOSU was cancelled by the weather.  Good news: it was rescheduled for this week!

Cool news: we were sent a suggestion to use a new software available to the public called “MapJam.”  No-so-good-news: it didn’t quite have the capacity we needed to manage our whole project.

REALLY GOOD NEWS?  The CEO of the company is calling me tomorrow, wants to partner with our project, and thinks we can work our the kinks in order to add all the sub pins (little posts for each spot we visit) we need, as well as attach all the media we are using.

And THAT, our dear readers, is the end of this update.

Have a good one…and please share our info with your friends who might be interested!

Love, Kisses, and Happy Travels – [kelly] & Rachel

P.S.  The “Oklahoma” photo above is a small section of the new TravelOK 2014 guide.  Beautiful, eh?

EPTOM: Not-So-Slow and Steady Gets the Job Done

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I just checked our Kickstarter crowd funding site for “Every Point on the Map” (EPOM).  When I look at the Dashboard information I feel mixtures of fear, hope, anticipation, motivation…and then a wave of calm washes over me.  I let those feelings go and my tense spine relaxes.

“It’s fine,” I tell myself.  “We were going do this whether we get the money or not.”  I lean the top half of my body from an upright position toward the back of my chair.  “Now, what else can I do to drum up support?”  And then I begin thinking.

We have conducted a small TV appearance.  We have set up a meeting with an associate producer at KOSU who is interested in some audio pieces from our work.  We’re working with Oklahoma Horizon TV who has offered training and technical assistant to help capture good quality video for future feature work.  And, long-term I’m going to investigate turning EPOTM into a non-profit entity so I can apply for grants.

So, what about right now?  Well, I know from studying the topics I have that most of the projects supported, or events attended, or products purchased are due to “word of mouth.”

So, since you have a mouth, please share the good “word” about Every Point on the Map.  Seven-hundred dollars worth of good words, and we’ll be on our way!

[kelly] & Rachel J. Apple

EPOTM: The Escapades of Amateurs Managing a PR Campaign

Using my lunch hour efficiently, this Thursday I managed to get to the KSBI-52 studio, complete a short interview, and get back to the precepting room at work with a little time to spare.  But not without sweating a few bullets.

I’ve only been on TV three times in my life.  The first was when Cherokee Ballard interviewed me at my home because there was “a rash of car thefts” in the area where we lived.  I won’t mention that the main reason our car was stolen was that I left the keys in the ignition and didn’t quite close the doors.  Therefore, the overhead light was a beacon for the thieves, and when they peeked in – bingo! Keys!  I did get a little ticked off when two nights later they came back and stole my husband’s truck as well.  But, they had the keys and I can hear their logic:

Hey – we’ve got this set of keys and need two cars…

Are you thinkin’ what I’m thinkin?

Yeah.  Let’s go back and steal that truck.

Like taking candy from a baby…

Later I had a chance to say my piece to the thieves as they sat handcuffed in the back of a police car.  The cops had called after finding my car at a 7-11 and “could we come and identify it?”  As Mick and I pulled into the parking lot in our rental, I felt compelled to walk up to the window and make darn sure the thieves knew “that truck was my father-in-law’s, and he just DIED a few months ago!”  Well, I told them, huh?  I will say the one closest to the window looked a little frightened. Not sure if it was because he just got arrested or because a crazed person just verbally accosted him about his bad deeds…

Where was I?  Oh yeah…TV.  I’ve only been on TV three times.  So, number one was about car thefts.

Numbers two and now three were on KSBI covering information highlighted right here on the Red Dirt Chronicles.  This week it was about Every Point on the Map (EPOM).  Number four will be next week.  Our friends at Oklahoma Horizon TV will be covering EPOM in a slightly different way, and they’ll be partnering with our project by lending us a bit of equipment.

In case you missed it, here’s our piece on KSBI: Continue reading EPOTM: The Escapades of Amateurs Managing a PR Campaign

Every Point on the Map: Do We Have Personal Buy-In?

Two days ago we launched our “Every Point on the Map” crowd funding site.

It was a big step, more than a little scary, and now the hard work begins.  We need to raise $3100 in 30 days or we get nothing.  It’s that simple.

Or, maybe…it’s that hard.

Since the first year of my marriage I’ve been buying cookies from Girl Scouts, and buying popcorn or sausage from Boy Scouts.  We’ve donated money to our children’s schools, to our church, to organizations we believe in… but I’ve never personally had a project where I ask for money.  I’ve never personally had to tell people:  “Look, I really believe in this project.  Would you be willing to support it?”

I’ve never had to learn how to ask.  You have to have personal buy-in at a level where no doubt exists.  We’re there.  Now we need to convince other people we’re there.

Giving is so much easier…

Our goal is relatively modest.  We asked for just enough money to get through the first year.  We’ll have a better idea of the costs at that point, but to roll out the project we know having support will free us up to focus on achieving our goals.

So, for those of you who are reading this post, please know this:  We’ll take care of your money.  We’ll do the very best we can to achieve optimum “Every Point on the Map” with minimum monetary expenditures.  And, we’ll do all we’re able in order to produce read-worthy, think-worthy, consideration-worthy, life-changing-worthy pieces.

We believe in this project and we’d love to have your support.  Really, truly, genuinely.

Love and gratefulness for any money you can pledge to our project, (click this link to support us!)

[kelly] and Rachel Apple

“Every Point on the Map” – Fair Questions and the Nitty Gritty Details

It’s only been a few days since we announced Every Point on the Map, but we’ve been asked quite a few very good questions.

These range from the, “Where are you going to start first?” types (geographical) to the “How are you going to decide who to interview?” (logistical) kind.  Here are a few others we’ve encountered:

  1. How are you going to fund this project?
  2. Who have you contacted to publicize your work?
  3. What kind of documentation are you going to do (I like video best; or, I like photos best; or, you’re going to write, right??)?
  4. Could I ride with you during one of your trips?
  5. Are you going to write a book?  Make an installment at a museum?
  6. What about passing along a gift from one stop to the next, kind of like geocaching, only different?

Holy Road Trip, Batman –  we have some decisions to make, eh?

I will say that we’ve begun to sort many of these decisions out.  For example, we’ll be rolling out a Kickstarter fundraising opportunity to bankroll our first year on Monday of next week.  We’ve been working with Tree & Leaf designer Dusty Gilpin on our project logo.  And, we’ll be introducing the project on Oklahoma Horizon TV and through other media or publication outlets as we are ready.  I’ve even outlined various legs of the trip so we can be efficient, cover a good amount of ground, and locate places to spend the night from time to time if needed.

In other words, the answers to these questions are coming together, slowly but surely.  And, we’ll cover each of them in individual posts as they are ready to share.  But there is one we’re still mulling and we could quite frankly use your help.  Here’s the deal… Continue reading “Every Point on the Map” – Fair Questions and the Nitty Gritty Details

“Every Point on the Map” or Why My Heart Has the Flutters

Have you ever had an idea spark at some point in your brain, move from the incubation stages slowly and deliberately, then continuously remerge in your consciousness until it demands to be reckoned with?

I would imagine those types of ideas are the fabric from which “Bucket Lists” are constructed.  They’re the kinds of ideas that send little currants of electricity down your spine, or through your teeth.  They’re the visions that, when played out in your head, give your heart a little flutter, or awaken the butterflies in your stomach.

They’re the kinds of ideas that aren’t uttered aloud until you can own them.  And, until you can own the results of your utterances.

One such result might be that by uttering your idea aloud, you’ve implied some kind of social contract with the person who heard you.  Or, perhaps a contract with yourself.

Some people blurt their ideas in the early stages, before they’re fully developed.  Others harbor them covertly until they’ve weighed every risk associated and every aspect or contingency.  I fall more into the second camp.  And that’s why it’s not until NOW that I’ve decided to publicly announce a project I’ll be starting in February called, “Every Point on the Map.”

Every Point on the Map will be a ten year journey to visit each one of Oklahoma’s 593 townships or cities and have a meaningful conversation with one person in each place.  My daughter will be traveling with me, documenting the journey through two types of digital video and with two different cameras.  Every Point on the Map is something of a “bucket list-type” idea that has been incubating for a while, and by virtue of writing this beginning post – to me – it’s like forming a social contract with Oklahomans at large.  To me, it’s like the beginning of trying to introduce the idea.  And, to introduce you to the “why” behind the idea. Continue reading “Every Point on the Map” or Why My Heart Has the Flutters

The Wheaties Are Coming!

THE WHEATIES ARE COMING!

THE WHEATIES ARE COMING!!

The last week of May signals the beginning of wheat harvest in Southwestern Oklahoma and northern Texas. A sea of golden wheat waves across the plains igniting the annual migration of the custom wheat harvest crews to the area. Common nicknames for the harvest crews are “Wheaties” or “Wheat whackers”.   The crews will spend the summer months harvesting wheat from northern Texas all the way to the border of North Dakota and Canada and beyond.

A typical crew will consist of the owner, their family, and a group of hired hands that travel with them from one wheat field to the next. The owner carries the financial burden of owning the combines, trucks, travel trailers, and assorted other equipment to make the annual harvest migration. The owner’s wife makes sure the family and crew is fed and tended to as needed. The workers run and maintain the equipment, and assist in moving it from one farm to the next. A typical owner nearly always has a farm at his/her home base that extended family members will manage during the wheat harvest season.

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Tommy and David checking on the 2013 wheat crop

The third part of the harvest equation is the local farmer growing the wheat. The farmer will often use the same crew each year. More often than not, the “harvest contract” is a good, old-fashioned handshake agreement.   Once the arrangements are in place, the waiting and praying begins.

The crews work efficiently over long hours every day, but weather, dew, and equipment failures will interrupt the harvest schedule. The farmers and custom harvest crews alike pray the hail will stay away and the fields and grain will be sufficiently dry for cutting. Once the crew finishes one farmer’s acreage, they move on to the next farmer.

Some non-Oklahomans have often wondered why OK-TX wheat farmers don’t buy their own combines. The answer boils down to economics. Combines – the machine used to harvest the wheat (think “Frank” from the movie Cars) cost around $400,000.00 new, before you add on the wheat cutting head. Some models can be equipped to accommodate inter-changeable heads, meaning they can harvest wheat, corn, soybeans, etc. Since most wheat farmers in Western Oklahoma don’t grow the other crops, it only makes $ense to hire a custom cutting crew to harvest the wheat. Food for thought:  Next time your daughter wants to rent a limo for the prom or her wedding, let her hire a tractor, cotton stripper, or combine instead – they are worth a lot more than a limousine, and you might just make a farmer’s day!

Wheat harvest time is not all work and no play. Along with the unexpected weather delays, most crew members, affectionately known as “Wheaties” or “Wheat-whackers” to the locals, get an evening or two off now and then to head into the nearby towns. The average Wheatie is in his late teens to early 20s, earning money for college or other interests. When the wheaties come to town, the young ladies of the area check them out. Romances blossom and fade during the two or three weeks the crews are in town. The local guys turn a bit green with envy during this time, but the ones in the know realize, “This, too, shall pass.”

And just like that, the wheat harvest is over for this year. The Wheaties pack up and roll on down the road to harvest the next plot full of waving wheat, golden ripe and ready.

Thank you for joining me once again on the Red Dirt Roads bordering the wheat fields of Southwestern Oklahoma.  Join me next time for a couple of book reviews.

Always in Red Dirt,

Southwest Sara

For a quick video look at a wheat harvest in progress in the Frederick area, watch this YouTube video.

Combine pricing can be found here:
https://configurator.deere.com/

http://caseih.ironbuilder.com/Series/Harvesting.aspx
Sources: Tommy Sadler, Dave and Tawna Shultz, Tom Boyer, Neil Johnson, Warren Crawford and personal experiences.

Love Stories with Oklahoma Roots: Charles and Audry Coward

In honor of D Day, I’m re-running this post about a WWII vet who met his sweetheart in an Arkansas diner. – RDK

I sat in the “family section” at my great-uncle Charlie’s funeral listening to the minister narrate his life story.  Long-time members and family friends filled the pews to extend their regards and say their last goodbyes.  Uncle Charlie’s history about his veteran status in World War II, his commendations and a letter from his commanding officer were detailed.  He had served on several islands, and was on Midway when the Japanese attempted a takeover.  Evidently, two islands made up “Midway,” and Charles was on the Sand Island portion when some pretty heavy action took place.  He was also stationed on Russell Island which was bombed so frequently Charles got conditioned to the warning sirens and sometimes slept right through all the noise and chaos.

I hadn’t known about the honor, valor and courage my Uncle had shown during WWII.  I quietly listened while trying to soak in the details, but some of the language of the various battles and specific missions were foreign to me.  I was mentally making a note on “books covering WWII to read when I finished school,” when a love story began to unfold from the pulpit.  My ears perked up as the minister began sharing anecdotes about how Uncle Charlie and my Aunt Audry met.  I grinned…my Uncle was a schemer!  A few weeks after I returned home, I wrote his daughter and ask for permission to share the story of how they met. My cousin not only granted permission, she sent me a few photos.  Cue a small-town Fayetteville, Arkansas scene. The year was 1950…. Continue reading Love Stories with Oklahoma Roots: Charles and Audry Coward

StormTracker: Alan Broerse and the Oklahoma Storm Chasing Culture

PHOTO: Night Tornado, Sweetwater, OK – used with permission. Copyright Alan Broerse, 2008.

Note from the Editor on May 20, 2013:  We’re heartbroken that so many Oklahomans have experienced so much loss over the past two days.  We’re especially heartbroken for the Moore community and the massive trauma they’ve experienced both in human lives lost as well as the structures around them.  Through the ongoing search and rescue exercises taking place right now, I was thinking about how even more loss could have been experienced were it not for the elite meteorologists and storm tracking teams we have in our state.  I’m grateful for them today, and I’m incredibly sad for those who happened to be connected to something or someone they love in the paths of the storm.  Love to those who are hurting ~  Red Dirt Kelly

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“[Original post written May 29, 2011]  Speaking of night time tornadoes….this one tore thru Sweetwater Oklahoma. It lifted near Vici, OK and dropped down on me near Sharon, OK. I was live with Gary England on TV….I went from calm winds and no rain to tennis ball hail and 70mph winds blowing horizontal rain in less than 60 seconds. Gary said: “Alan you need to take your tornado precautions you are in the tornado,” as he watched it on radar. I couldn’t see 15 feet ahead of me, but followed the white dotted line on the highway to escape…..I drove a half mile out, turned around and snapped this monster tornado a few hundred yards away. God had his hand over me that night. I was uninjured and lost no windows. It was pitch black. Lightning will sporadically light up the sky to let you see the storm….My closest call ever while chasing. I really don’t like getting that close. ~ Alan Broerse”

As I sat across from Alan Broerse in an Oklahoma City Panera Bread store, I was contemplating a continuous vibe I kept receiving during our conversation:  This man is measured, calm, thoughtful, logical…he knows his limits, he makes decisions quickly but carefully, he follows procedures; he’s pretty cool about this.  Alan was teaching me about being a StormTracker.  I sipped my coffee and tried to soak up all the vocabulary he was tossing my way while I kept looping back to one thought in my head: “I’m really glad HE’s doing this work and not me.”  You can’t talk to a tornado about its feelings. Continue reading StormTracker: Alan Broerse and the Oklahoma Storm Chasing Culture

Here’s What Touched My Heart

I recall writing this post about the Graduate College ceremonies two years ago. This Friday, I’ll get to walk through the same ceremony as a doctoral candidate…to celebrate completing the last of my educational requirements. I’m thrilled to think that, soon enough, I’ll have my college diploma in hand. I’m still working on my dissertation, but am preparing to defend and complete that process no later than mid-July of this summer. For those who may have lost their originals, you can order diploma and transcripts online for replacement purposes.

I was thinking about this post because it’s interesting to change perspectives – being a graduate, being faculty, then being a graduate again.  I’m looking forward to Friday…to sitting with my doctoral advisor, to smiling as I get hooded, and to being with my family.  I’m a sucker for academic regalia, so am exited to have three velvet stripes on the sleeves of my robe this time, and a velvet tam on my head.  But mostly, I’m looking forward to being finished: with enrolling, with paying tuition (about 35K and counting…), and with having more hoops through which to jump.  I’ll be glad the hoop jumping is complete.

I know there will always be hoops in life – job hoops, tax hoops, qualifying hoops of one sort or another.  But, to know the educational hoops are about the end is, to me, one of the most exhilarating feelings I’ve ever experienced.  To me, that’s what Friday will mean. ~ Peace, RDK

***

Last night I reported to Gallagher Iba Arena just before 6:00 p.m.  My assignment?  To assist master’s candidates with their academic regalia.  I had my instructions: Medallions first, cords second, hoods, then caps.  Also, tassels on the LEFT.

In December of 2001 I was being assisted with this process, rather than being the one who assists.  My perspective was so different this time.  As I jockeyed with those guarding the door who wanted to see my credentials, asked where I was to report and then finally seemed to be convinced I had a reason to be there I began wondering if I would be of any use to the students.  After all, they were getting their Master’s Degrees, right?

That question was put quickly to bed once I had walked down the hallway and into one of the practice gyms.  All around the room students were jostling with their regalia.  “What do I do with this little loopy-thingy?”  “Is this on right?”  “Can you help me with the zipper on my gown? It’s stuck.”  “Do you have any bobby pins?” “Hey, someone brought safety pins, cool!”  The comments circled around the room and repeated themselves over and over as the room filled almost to capacity.  Where were all these Master’s candidates coming from?  Did we have three, four or even six times this many on our campus?  I was genuinely surprised at the numbers.  I would guess there were at least 400 or more milling around in their friendship groups.  I noticed between eight and ten older, “returning” students (read: those my age or older…some with a full head of gray hair) standing alone.  The eight or ten appeared, by and large, peaceful and happy.  I think they were just standing in the midst of the hubbub taking in all they could.

The “traditional” students (read: those between 24 and 28 years old) were standing around in groups of two, three, eight or even more.  They were rapidly speaking to each other and helping one another with their hair, regalia, holding phones, taking photos, etc.  One group of tall young men in the corner broke out in the “Oh-lay-oh-lay-oh-lay-oh-LAAAYYY (Ole, Ole…)” song.  They were jumping up and down to the beat of the song, and sang it three or four times through. Continue reading Here’s What Touched My Heart

How Do You Say That?

In honor of tonight’s NCAA Men’s basketball final between Louisville and Michigan, don’t you think it’s about time to revisit Southwestern Oklahoma – home to some of the best small school basketball teams – and make sure we know how to pronounce those town names?  Just in case you’re wondering how to pronounce the capital of Kentucky, it is pronounced, “FRANK-fort”.

Red Dirt Kelly gave birth to the Red Dirt Chronicles just a few short years ago. Since that time she has posted Red Dirt trivia questions on Facebook about all things related to Oklahoma. My favorite trivia questions are the ones that focus on Oklahoma places. When it comes to Oklahoma place names, the trivia can include more than just location, it might even pull out the old “how do you pronounce . . .” routine. As Jeff Foxworthy might say: “You might be from Oklahoma if you know how to say ‘Gotebo’, ‘Hobart’, ‘Eufaula’, Oologah, or Skiatook.”

Southwestern Oklahoma has its fair share of names that make you either grin or raise an eyebrow before attempting to say them. Go pack a snack now, and a tall glass of sweet iced tea, and we’ll take us a little road trip around Southwestern Oklahoma and discover some of these places. Leave your GPS devices at home for this trip – just pick up a copy of the free map of Oklahoma that the tourism department provides. It’ll save you a hundred bucks or so, and give you a better idea of where you are going.

Driving along US 62, halfway between Altus and Lawton, there is that sign that says “Gotebo –>”. Gotebo is one of those place names that exposes the non-Oklahoma roots of weather reporters. Very few know that it sounds just the way it is spelled, “go-tee-bo” with all long vowels. Gotebo is located in Kiowa County, at the junction of State Highways 9 and 54. It was founded around 1901 and has a current population of 226.

Northwest of Gotebo is Retrop. Some may wonder where this strange name came from, but it is quite simple, really. Spell it backwards and you have the surname of the first family to settle in Retrop. When the town applied for a post office, they discovered there was a town in Indian Territory named “Porter”. When word came back to Retrop about Porter, the forefathers said, “Let’s just spell it backwards.” Retrop is located on the Washita/Beckham county line, along State Highway 6, not too far down the road from Sentinel.

Up the road a ways from Retrop are two towns located a few miles apart on either side of State Highway 54, and nearly always paired together on the highway signs. Corn and Colony are their names. I’m not sure if they grow corn in Corn, or if any colonists remain in Colony, but I do know that one has family ties to John Denver. Continue reading How Do You Say That?

Flowers in the Attic

I recall being obsessed with the V.C. Andrews “Flowers in the Attic” book series as a student in junior high and high school.

I thought about that book series as I stared at a 6 cent FDR stamp postmarked 1968.  I’ve been cleaning my own attic on and off for the past month.  As I was going through a box of childhood keepsakes, I came across a postcard sent to me by my Aunt Virginia.

Aunt Virginia loves flowers, her back yard is full of them.  When I visit her, I usually end up with a few cuttings or bulbs.  From her flower beds to mine, she shares her blooms, and they keep giving color to my yard year after year.

The back of the postcard was yellowed, and her message had been written in pencil.  The faded handwriting was a stark contrast to the Oklahoma travel photos on the front.  A 1960s black and white reel-to-reel news voice popped into my head as I read the description of the photos:

The front of this card shows only a few of the natural and man-made attractions which make Oklahoma a vacation adventureland. (Compliments of Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.  Not to be sold.)

As I read through her message, I realized she had written a poem and included me, her daughter (my cousin Julie) and my brother in the lines:

Dear Kelly,

I raised my head and looked at the World

And there was Kelly, a nice little girl

We played and ate ice cream and had lots of fun

Although cowgirl Julie was wearing a gun,

You got out the dolls and the dishes for a tea,

While Julie and little Quentin were running free,

Be a sweet little girl and always act nice

And the next time I see you I’ll kiss you twice.

Aunt Virginia

I re-read the poem a couple of times and thought, “I have my own flowers in the attic.  They’re from Aunt Virginia, given to me when I was five.  And now that I’ve found them, they’ll keep blooming – just like the perennials from her in my flower beds – adding color to my soul, year after year.”

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Oklahoma is Artsy & Writsy – Read This to Hear Why!

Screen Shot 2013-02-05 at 8.46.22 PM We’ve been working on an event, and here’s the low-down, the info, the 4-1-1…capeesh?

2nd Friday Art Walk Offers Unique Imaginary Family Project and live music from John Calvin.

START AT STASH on Friday, February 8th for Downtown Norman’s 2nd Friday Art Walk from 6-10 p.m. Among the features this month will be the book release of “The Imaginary Family Project (IFP),” a compendium of 52 short stories by 51 different authors written weekly over the period of one year. As a bonus, every one who attends will be given a free vintage photograph as a souvenir. Also not to miss will be the dreamy croonings from folk singer/songwriter John Calvin. This free show is sponsored by the Norman Arts Council and STASH.
More about the IFP:

Inspired by a happenstance trip to a random flea market in Tulsa, and a subsequent brainstorming session with his facebook friends, The 2011 Imaginary Family Project (IFP) was coordinated by occasional amateur artist Quentin Bomgardner and co-sponsored by The Red Dirt Chronicles.

The project was based upon “lost” vintage photographs, which had been acquired at flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, and eBay – heirloom collections, with no heir.

Over half of the authors are residents of Oklahoma and include the likes of Sterlin Harjo, Melissa Scaramucci, Charles Martin, Dorothy Alexander, and Wampus Reynolds. Other authors include academics from major university creative writing departments, people who have never written prior to this project, and other unique individuals with their own stories as to why they chose to join this project. Ultimately, stories were written from all over the United States and across 3 different continents.

Every week a different author “found” one photograph by creating an imagined history around one of its subjects. Kicked off in the first week of January, 2011 and completed during the last week of that year, the work has now been compiled into book form.

This publication is the group presentation of that collective work, and represents exactly what “The Imaginary Family Project” was intended to be: 52 stories for forgotten photographs selected by their authors, and written from a wide variety of diverse, creative and unique perspectives.

The creators and authors hope you enjoy reading the works as much as they enjoyed seeing each story come to life.

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The authors dedicate this project to anyone who will ever find themselves the subject of a lost photo.

Drinking from the Cup of Friendship: My Tidal School Winery Road Trip

IMG_0037It’s been a while since I’ve been on a good old-fashioned road trip. Evidence of this fact was demonstrated when I stopped at the turnpike entrance on I-44 east, pulled over on the shoulder and called Mick.

“Um, I think I missed that Park-and-Ride lot, babe. Are you SURE it’s there?”

“There” meant “on the north side of N.E. 122nd, across from the Shell truck stop, but not yet over the I-35 bridge.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s still there…” I could tell he was using his patient voice, and I deeply appreciated that as I did a U-turn, drove along the shoulder facing oncoming traffic, waved at most of the cars as I passed, and headed back to the mystery place.

“Oh, THERE it is!” I said as I suddenly spied a brand new thing I had never witnessed before.

I pulled into the parking lot while telling Mick goodbye. “Hey, there are my friends. Thanks sweetie, gotta go!”

There they were: Katie, Rose, and a Full Day waiting on us to get started. In no time flat, we were packed up and headed back to I-44, this time driving the proper direction down the on-ramp to the turnpike.

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We were headed to Drumright, Oklahoma to check out the Tidal School Winery. Armed with our “Living Social” Deals printed on clean white paper, we chatted about stuff (and by “stuff” I mean girl talk…and by “girl talk” I mean, well, stuff) until we hit the Stroud exit.

I thought our trip would be 1:45 to get to Drumright. We got there in an hour flat. And we were hungry. Continue reading Drinking from the Cup of Friendship: My Tidal School Winery Road Trip

Oklahoma Headlines 2012, Year in Review – JULY

Screen Shot 2013-01-18 at 1.17.39 PM(Photo by Sarah Phipps)

July 2012 was a hot, hot month.  The state had been drying up for a while, but emergencies were finally being declared.  Check out the headlines that made Oklahoma history last year around Independence Day…

  • Oklahoma Hispanic population continues to grow
  • Concerns about State Capitol building and art displays mount
  • OKC Thunder and Scott Brooks come to a coaching contract agreement
  • Robin Leander Howard died four days after police used force to arrest him
  • Agritourism and Oklahoma vineyards work together for growth and development
  • Six athletes from the University of Oklahoma are London-bound for the Olympic games
  • Judge upholds Edmond man’s 15-year prison sentence for an Iraqi civilian killing
  • Higher education leaders worry about shrinking state funding
  • Oklahoma City district is set to launch a free online school this fall
  • An audit of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church reveals $110K missing
  • Mother is sentences for her part in fire that killed three children
  • Celebration of what would have been Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday are held across the state, nation and world
  • Shannon Miller reflects on her multi-medal Olympics 20 years ago
  • 10,000 attend American Idol auditions in Oklahoma City
  • Gene Stipe dies at age 85
  • Drought worsens across the state; Fallin declares states of emergency
  • Olympics in full swing, Oklahoma City Thunder players enjoy playing time

Oklahoma Headlines 2012 – Year in Review, JUNE

Screen Shot 2013-01-10 at 9.59.40 AM(left – cover of the Daily Oklahoman when the Thunder was defeated in the last NBA championship playoff game)

Well, June of 2012 was arguably some of the most extreme emotional highs and lows for many Oklahomans as the OKC Thunder beat SanAntonio in the Western Conference finals and advanced to the NBA Championship series against the Miami Heat.  But what else took place in our state last June?  Check it out…

  • Governor signs DHS reform bills
  • Long time OKC nemesis, Charles Barkley, gets to know the City
  • OKC police chief reports needing 200 new officersOU student Casey Cooke falls to her death from a fire escape on campus
  • The Thunder win the Western Conference Championship – prepare for Miami
  • Oklahomans do well at the CMT Music Awards
  • Reba McEntire received the Annie Oakley Society Award
  • Western art exhibits and the Red Earth Festival keep Oklahoma culture awareness high
  • Report shows behavioral health prescriptions for foster children in OK growing
  • Legislators and defense counsel testify in “Prater smear campaign” charges
  • Cleveland county decides to quite releasing mug shots
  • “Thunder Pride” impacts entire state as Miami closes in on the Championship
  • Miami wins series against Thunder 4-1, and takes NBA title
  • The Edmond senatorial campaign heats up; Blair files suit against Jolley
  • Oklahoma City rated as U.S.’s “Manliest” metropolis
  • Trains collide in Goodwell; three train employees killed
  • Barry Switzer vies for a spot on the NCAA football playoff work committee
  • Meth rings continue to be raided and disrupted, while more spring up
  • U.S. Supreme Court upholds health care measure; OK impacted in several ways due to not accepting money to set up insurance exchange
  • Pawnee Wild West show continues annually, drawing larger crowds

Oklahoma Headlines 2012 – Year in Review, MAY

westbrook v san antonioWhen looking back through the 2012 headlines, for some reason May seemed like a “bummer” month. Usually, the good and icky news balance out, but this month seemed solemn.  Maybe you’ll have a different take?  Here we go…

(Photo: R. Westbrook reacts to the game situation in playoffs versus the San Antonio Spurs – Brett Deering, Getty Images)

  • State’s top court rules personhood bill unconstitutional.
  • Ponca City area hit with flooding, locals spent time and manpower searching for cattle swept away.
  • Chesapeake asks Aubrey McClendon to step down as chairman of the board; seeks independent chair to replace him.
  • An A-F grading system is approved for Oklahoma public schools.
  • Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure ordered to repay state $70K in adoption fraud money.
  • Miss Oklahoma, Betty Thomson’s, crown is stolen from her car.
  • David Tyner pleads guilty to killing six people in “Cathouse” case.
  • OKC Thunder sweeps Dallas Mavericks to win the first step in the NBA playoff series.
  • The Cheyenne and Araphaho Tribes ask a federal judge to “un-freeze” 6.4 million dollars in assets from a bank in Clinton.
  • Barry Switzer celebrates a 40-year affiliation with the Special Olympics of Oklahoma.
  • Christopher Dunham is found guilty of neglect in the fire-related deaths of three children, left locked inside a mobile home.
  • Governor Fallin signs the open carry bill.
  • Conner Mason enters a guilty plea in “Bicycle Bob’s” death.
  • Post-game gun attach close to Thunder Alley stirs a debate about watch party events held in open, public places.
  • Legislative session ends with no deal on income tax cuts nor repairs for the Capitol.
  • Thunder wraps up month of May down 0 games to 2 in the third round of NBA playoffs against San Antonio.

Oklahoma Headlines 2012 – Year in Review, APRIL

marathon03Oklahoma did much more than “March on” after the month of March, 2012.  In fact, in APRIL there was some running involved!  Running marathons, running from storms, running down the basketball court…lots and lots of running.  Check it out:

(photo left – OKC Memorial Marathon, Daily Oklahoman)

  • OSU Cowgirl Basketball team celebrates winning the WNIT.  Shelly Budke, wife of the team’s recently deceased coach, cut down the victory net.
  • Prices at the gas pump are hurting industry and private individuals across the nation.  Oklahoma keeps watch on the situation as an energy producing state.
  • As flooding over the years increased, residents in the unincorporated are of Crutcho reluctantly consider or accept buyout options.
  • Oklahoma starts take spotlight positions at the Academy of Country Music awards including: Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert.
  • 25 year-old soldier from Checotah dies in Afghanistan.  James E. Dutton is one of many who gave their life in the ongoing Middle East operations.
  • Tribes continue to make headlines regarding online payday loan businesses and water rights issues.
  • New ballpark name (Newcastle Casino Field) stirs heavy criticism.  The Chickasaw Nation responded by choosing a new name: “Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.”
  • Oklahoma City sees rapid population growth in 2010 and 2011.  The OKC metro now stands at >1.2 million.
  • The final 45th Infantry Brigade returns to the U.S., much to the relief of Oklahomans.
  • 27 “mom and pop” convenience store owners sue the Oklahoma Tax Commission for “unusually harsh sales tax audits.”
  • 2 white men accused of killing 3 black residents and injuring two others on shooting spree are arrested.
  • Ken Burns debuts footage from his latest project, “The Dust Bowl.”
  • Bela Fleck visits the American Banjo Hall of Fame prior to his concert at RoseState.
  • In a report prepared for Senator Coburn, recommendations to limit crop loss subsidies are considered.
  • An EF3 rated tornado leaves six dead plus major damage in Woodward.
  • Norman homeowners unite to ease restrictions on back yard chickens.
  • 17 years after the OKC bombing, victims are reflecting in different ways as well as graduating from college.
  • Suspect Kevin Sweat, charged in the killings of two Weleetka girls, as well as the death of his girlfriend, has preliminary hearing.
  • Meta World Peace injures James Harden with forceful elbow jab.
  • “Personhood Bill” involves many activists on all sides of the issue.
  • 5 southwestern areas in Oklahoma experience triple digit heat in April.
  • State House passes the “Open Carry” measure.
  • Kevin Durant earns top NBA scoring title.
  • Blackburn and Weeden are first round draft picks.
  • Governor Fallin signs fetal heartbeat bill into law.
  • Oklahoma City Thunder begins NBA playoffs against Dallas Mavericks.
  • 2,700 runners finished the full OKC Memorial Marathon, and 8,138 others completed related events.

Oklahoma Headlines – 2012: Year in Review, MARCH

obama at tinkerMarch was a long, full and busy month in the state of Oklahoma.  Don’t believe me?  Check out just a few of the highlights we experienced in our state!

(Photo at left by Brian Terry, Daily Oklahoman.  President Obama visits Tinker Air Force Base, March 22, 2012)

  •  Oklahoma County commissioners move forward with a plan to build a new jail at the cost of $330 million.
  • State fire marshal agent recommends the Pauline E. Mayer children’s shelter be closed if continued overcrowding problems cannot be corrected.
  • Oklahoma City concludes it’s 9th warmest winter on record.
  • Reverend Joe Carter, a former Oklahoma City resident, led Whitney Houston’s funeral.
  • “Right size” and “smaller size” state government become buzzwords in legislative culture as public officials looks for ways to streamline state workforce.
  • Oklahoma City Civic Center prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.
  • Senator Mike Morgan is convicted of one bribery count.
  • “MAPS for kids” projects move toward completion; illustration of this was a ribbon cutting ceremony at Sequoyah Elementary school for a renovation.
  • U.S. Airforce decides to shut down a unit that employed 600 persons at Tinker Air Force base.
  • Rick Santorum wins the Oklahoma GOP primary.
  • An announcement was made that Garth Brooks would be among the next inductees into the County Music Fall of Fame.
  • Audit reveals that $2.3 million was spent by the Department of Education through slush funds, mostly under the watch of former Superintendent Sandy Garrett. Current Education officials also used foundation funds for questionable expenses.
  • OU students petition Boren for gender-neutral housing.
  • New report cites addiction costs Oklahoma $7.2 billion per year. Follow up report show that overdoses of prescription pain and anxiety medications take more Oklahoma lives each year than car crashes. Further, a second report showed that drug abuse costs U.S. employers a whopping $276 billion per year.
  • Barry Switzer states he’s worked with a movie producer on a potential biography film.
  • Religious artifacts collection owned by the Green family (Hobby Lobby owners) is on display at the Vatican.
  • State of Oklahoma report shows catastrophic storms have cost insurance companies over $1 billion in repair/recovery costs in recent years.
  • Oklahoman Mason Cook will join Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp in new “Long Ranger” movie.
  • A jury returned a $4.55 million verdict against Creoks mental Health Services for failing to report sexual abuse.
  • The Oklahoma City Museum of Art celebrates its 10th anniversary with special activities and events including a 70th anniversary screening of “Casablanca.” [quoted from the Daily Oklahoman]
  • Devon prepares for a move to the new tower.
  • A State Integrity Investigation reveals problematic “openness” policy with state policies and awards Oklahoma a “D,” and a ranking of 38th out of 50for information access. Frequent delays to requests were cited.
  • President Obama makes first visit to Oklahoma to announce new pipeline plans a priority. While here, he pledged support foro the pipeline project at location in Cushing.
  • OKC Thunder welcomes new point guard Derek Fisher.
  • Two men were arrested after they pulled up to Gaffney Crane Inc. and stole a one ton crane.
  • The Oklahoma State Capitol is in desperate need of repairs, and some parts are sectioned off due to safety concerns. A $150 million dollar bond project could be option for repairs.
  • Concerns continue for the stalled American Indian Museum and Cultural center. The City of Oklahoma City pledges to pay $9 million of the more than $80 million remaining on the project.
  • A judge strikes down a “mandatory ultrasound prior to abortion” measure.
  • In the middle of a large and burdensome U.S. recession, Oklahoma’s employment rate falls to 6% – far below the national average.