February 12, 2015

Chisholm and Great Western Feasibility Study

The National Park Service wants to hear from you. The Park Service has completed a comprehensive study of the Chisholm and Great Western Cattle Trails. The study looks at the feasibility of adding the trails to the National Trail System. Public comment is invited through March 6. You can find the study and the invitation for comment by clicking on our link.  

   

 

   

"I encourage you to read the study and make comments for the Park Service to review. The designation of the Chisholm and Great Western as part of the National Trails System could have significant economic impact along the route and help spur preservation efforts," said Dr. Bob Blackburn, OHS executive director.

 

The Chisholm and the Great Western Trails came about just after the Civil War. During the war, Texas ranches were unmanaged, leaving the southern prairies teeming with cattle. Ranchers were "cattle poor," as too many cattle depressed prices. At the same time, markets in the East were in great need of beef. The eastern herds had been depleted to feed the army and civilians. By war's end, cattle worth $3 per head in Texas would bring between $40 and $60 in Chicago and New York. The problem was that no railroads yet reached the Texas plains. The solution was the creation of the great American cattle trails. The cattle trail period lasted a brief time, roughly from 1867 to 1885, but it remains a vital part of the image of the West in popular culture spawning cowboy songs, poetry, books, movies, and television shows.

 

 

Third Annual "Trappings of the Cherokee Strip"
February 28 - March 28
Cherokee Regional Heritage Center | Enid, OK

During the month of March, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will host its third annual "Trappings of the Cherokee Strip" show of fine Western art and custom cowboy gear. "The Trappings show has gained respect with the artists as well as avid collectors of Western art. We now have a waiting list of artists asking to participate in the show," said CSRHC Director Andi Holland.

 

This year the Trappings show will feature 15 of Oklahoma's best Western artists and craftsmen. For half of the artists, this will be their first year to participate while the other half are artists who have been in one or all of the Trappings shows. John Rule, a sculptor and leather worker has participated in the show each year and is the artist who created the original leather piece photographed for the cover of the 2015 Oklahoma Tourism Guide.

 

"Trappings of the Cherokee Strip" will open to the public on Saturday, February 28, and remain open through March 28. This invitational show brings together an impressive collection of fine works of art and handmade cowboy gear. The show is expertly exhibited to showcase the beauty of each item. All works are available for purchase, deliverable following the close of the show.

 

On display this year will be paintings; drawings; sculpture; works of silver including jewelry, belt buckles and guns; cowboy boots and other leather works; decorative gourds; pottery and furniture. The show is curated by the Heritage Center's Curator of Collections David Kennedy. He said, "This year's Trappings exhibit will be our best yet! We have a good mix of past favorites and new artists. It's not often you get to handle modern works of this style-especially with this quality. I am particularly looking forward to getting a close-up look during installation."

 

"The Trappings show is one of the Heritage Center's most popular events of the year," said Holland. "We are pleased to promote our proud Western heritage in this way and provide these remarkable Oklahoma artists with an opportunity to showcase their amazing works of art." Featured artists are Curt Boles, Brenda Dewald, Ray Dorwart, Mikel Donahue, Harland Hackett, Harold Holden, Barbara Jacques, Stephen Jones, Heather Kaiser, Joe Lamerton, Kathryn Leitner, Bob Rae, John Rule, Skip Thompson and Robin Wolf. Each participating artist can exhibit up to three works of art or gear. These works are of fine quality, integrity and craftsmanship that will provide years of enjoyment and become treasured collectables.

 

Admission to "Trappings of the Cherokee Strip" is included in museum admission. The Heritage Center is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information on the fine art and gear show or other CSRHC programs, please contact the Heritage Center at 580-237-1907 or www.csrhc.org.The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is located at 507 S. Fourth St. in Enid.

Dr. Bob Blackburn makes appearance in OETA's Love Songs 'Round the World' 

Saturday, February 14 at 8pm on OETA

Darla Z plays cupid as her new music special, 'Darla Z's Love Songs 'Round the World' airs on Valentine's Day, 2015, on OETA at 8:00 p.m.  

 

Filmed in Las Vegas and Oklahoma City, 'Darla Z's Love Songs 'Round the World' follows a year after the singer's phenomenal holiday special 'Darla Z's Christmas 'Round the World' played to a nationwide audience.   For this special, Darla Z performs timeless songs of love and romance performed in her inimitable style.

 

As for her subject matter, in this, her third national special, Darla Z says it was straight from the heart.  "Throughout the world, every single person has been touched by some form of love and nothing spreads this universal language more than music," she said.  

As in 'Darla Z's Christmas 'Round the World,' viewers are treated to little known facts about its beloved melodies, showcased by footage from locales across the globe or interviews which explore each song's history or special meaning.   According to Darla Z, the program for the show describes love in all its forms.

 

Included in the special is a hauntingly beautiful Gaelic melody from 300 years ago which Darla Z rewrote with lyrics that describe the song's origination.  Another historical piece, 'Aura Lea,' is a song from the 1880s which many may recognize as 'Love Me Tender.'  Darla Z rewrote the lyrics and performs 'You're My Forever Love' while playing guitar. Accompanying this song is an interview with noted historian Dr. Bob Blackburn, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, who talks about the song's origination and history.   Other songs included in the special include 'Fly Me To The Moon,' 'Love Is All Around' and 'Hello.'

 

Oklahoma audiences will be given a sneak peek of the special on Valentine's Day, as the show will be broadcast nationally in June which, in the words of Darla Z, is the perfect time for weddings.

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From the Encyclopedia...

Although born and raised in North Carolina, this librarian, legislator, and ambassador made her home  and professional career in Oklahoma.  Learn more about Hannah Atkins here.

Nicole Harvey, Editor

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